Vanderputten Lifts Pepperdine Over San Diego
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Pepperdine used tough defense and the scoring of center Gavin Vanderputten to defeat San Diego, 61-51, in a West Coast Conference basketball game Friday night at Firestone Fieldhouse.
The Waves, who were badly outplayed in losing their first two conference games last weekend, against Santa Clara and St. Mary’s, held San Diego to 35.2% shooting. The Toreros made only seven of 27 three-point shots (25.9%).
“The defense got us over the hump,” Pepperdine Coach Tony Fuller said. “We feel if we make the other team shoot from the outside, we can stop them.”
Vanderputten provided the offensive spark. The 7-foot junior from Australia, who has rarely been a scoring threat, had a career-best 17 points before fouling out. Guard Gerald Brown scored 16, including 10 in the second half to help Pepperdine (5-10, 1-2) turn back a San Diego (6-8, 2-2) rally.
“Getting Gavin the ball has been a point of emphasis this week,” Fuller said. “He shoots a good percentage, so you want to get it to him.”
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