Pepperdine Upsets Santa Clara in WCC Tournament Quarterfinal

LAS VEGAS, NV – The Pepperdine Waves shocked the college basketball world by defeating the Santa Clara Broncos 78-76 in the quarterfinals of the West Coast Conference Tournament on Sunday night. The ninth-seeded Waves, with a record of 13-21, overcame significant odds to advance on to the semifinals against top-seed Saint Mary's.

Pepperdine’s Moe Odum led the charge with an impressive performance, contributing 19 points and 13 assists. His ability to control the game proved crucial, especially in the second half. “It feels great to pull off this upset. We showed heart and fought till the end,” Odum expressed after the game.

Entering the tournament as the lowest seed, Pepperdine faced Santa Clara, who held the fourth seed and boasted a much stronger record of 20-12. With Santa Clara benefiting from a bye in the previous round, they were anticipated to progress with relative ease. The sportsbooks reflected this sentiment, assigning Santa Clara -1600 odds against Pepperdine’s +1000.

Despite trailing 40-36 at halftime, the Waves showcased resilience as the second half unfolded. A pivotal 7-0 run, led by Odum’s strategic plays, put Pepperdine ahead 58-56 with under 10 minutes remaining.

Other key contributors for the Waves included Stefan Todorovic, who scored 19 points and made three 3-pointers, enhancing Pepperdine’s offensive strategy significantly. Their teamwork and strategic execution ultimately turned the tide of the game.

The final moments of the match were tense, with Zion Bethea securing two crucial free throws that extended Pepperdine’s lead to 78-73. Although Tyeree Bryan of Santa Clara managed a 3-pointer at the buzzer, it wasn’t enough to complete a comeback.

Pepperdine’s unexpected success came after hard-fought victories against the No. 8 and No. 5 seeds earlier in the tournament, demonstrating their capability as formidable competitors.

Looking ahead, the Waves will face Saint Mary’s on March 10, 2025, with hopes of continuing their Cinderella run in the tournament.

Meanwhile, Santa Clara must grapple with the pressures of tournament play after this unexpected defeat. Their season’s strong performance will now be scrutinized in light of their inability to close out against the Waves.