(Malibu, CA)- Pepperdine used a 15-2 run early in the second half to turn a five point deficit into an eight point lead on the way to a 69-58 victory over USF at Firestone Fieldhouse in Malibu. Brandon Armstrong and Tezale Archie each scored 14 points to lead Pepperdine, now 15-5, 5-0 in league play. USF paced by 10 points each by Darrell Tucker, Kenyon Jones and Russell Hinder dropped to 13-5 on the season, just 1-4 in West Coast Conference play, while the Waves remained tied for first place with Gonzaga with 5-0 marks.

USF again was victimized by turnovers and poor free-throw shooting, key elements in their 1-4 WCC mark. The Dons made 24 turnovers, 14 after halftime.

"We were in the game all the way, playing well," said Coach Phil Mathews, but after the score was 38-37 we had a total breakdown. They came and attacked us and we did not respond."

The game began as a see-saw affair, with the Dons up 5-2 early before the Waves went on a 12-0 run to take a 14-5 lead. USF came right back with a 19-5 run to lead 24-19, and were up 30-23 before three-pointers by Archie and Armstrong closed Pepperdine to 30-29 at intermission.

USF will play at Loyola Marymount on Saturday before returning home to face St. Mary's on February 4th.