Tigers struggle in Malibu

Poor offensive first half sets tone for another discouraging loss

Shooting 28% from the floor and 15% from three rarely will allow any team to stay in any game and that certainly was the case last night at Pepperdine as the Tigers scored a season-low 44 points in a discouraging 16-point loss to the Waves in what was a 24-point game midway through the second half. Pacific drops to 6-17, 1-8 in the WCC while the Waves have now won two WCC conference games, both vs. the Tigers. Last night’s game was played in front of about 300 fans in 3,100 seat gym without a band.

While the offense remains difficult to watch without much movement and an emphasis on finding and attacking favorable matchups that frankly is not working with the talent level on this roster, the overall effort remains generally strong. The group appeared fatigued last night but continues to play hard albeit without much resulting offensive production.

There were a few positives last night: 6’3” Jefferson Koulibaly did do an admirable job guarding Pepperdine’s leading scorer, Stefan Todorovic who torched the Tigers in Stockton earlier this month, holding him off the scoreboard early with a strong, physical effort on the defensive end before going to the bench with two fouls. Todorovic finished with a team-high 14 points but did not hit a three and got most of his in the second half when the game was decided. Pacific also held the Waves to just 33% shooting overall including 8-32 (25%) in the second half but the ineptitude on offense was simply too glaring to make this a game.

6’6” Elijah Fisher went just 6-15 from the floor including 0-4 from three (more than one was wide open) and turned it over 4 times but did author another highlight reel slam - maybe his most prolific of the season.

Still, the data does not lie: Pacific missed 15 of their first 16 threes and had only 30 points after 34 1/2 minutes of play with 20 turnovers overall in the game including 12 after halftime. 6’4” Lamar Washington gallantly worked through 38 minutes when it was clearly not his best night mentally or physically - he appears run down by not just the minutes but continually having to handle and orchestrate offensively - but 9 turnovers from your main guy isn’t going to cut it even against a team as low in the standings and rankings as Pepperdine.

Coach Smart gave 6’2” Seth Jones some action after several DNP games and the Juco transfer brought some energy and effort to the defensive end but unfortunately is simply not yet up to being a primary ball handler or decision maker at the mid-to-high major level. 6’4” Petar Krivokapic competed on the glass as is now a consistent contribution he brings but asking him to attack close-outs and read help to be a passer for more than just the odd possession puts him in an uncomfortable state.

Let’s hope the group gets some rest and comes back fresh for a home date this coming Thursday against a Wazzu group that is likely to seek revenge for their OT loss at home to the Tigers. Washington State blew a 12-point, second half lead yesterday at home to St. Mary’s - aided by some questionable zebra decisions at a key point in the game. Pacific then moves into the February portion of their slate at Santa Clara next Saturday in a 4 PM PT start.