Feb. 8, 2002

Box Score

(San Francisco) - USF dropped their first home West Coast Conference game of the season in a 73-57 loss to league-leading Pepperdine Friday at War Memorial Gym. With the win, the Waves (17-5, 8-1 WCC) wrap up the season sweep of Lady Dons (12-10, 4-5 WCC).

San Francisco's Carey Sauer recorded her second double-double of the season with a solid 18 point, 12 rebound performance, but it was not enough. Sauer, who entered the contest a perfect 28-of-28 at the free throw line, connected on all 12 of her attempts against the Waves to remain perfect from the stripe in league play.

Although the contest was a close battle for the first 35 minutes, USF could not find an answer for Waves senior forward Nadja Morgan, who poured in a season-high 27 points, converting on 10-of-15 from the floor and added nine rebounds in 36 minutes. The Lady Dons' post players combined for two points and five rebounds.

San Francisco struggled mightily from the floor, hitting at a .306 (15-49) clip. Pepperdine shot just as poorly in the first half, converting on .286 (10-35), but warmed up in the second, connecting on .538 (14-26). After attempting just two free throws in the first half, the Waves took advantage of their trips to the charity stripe in the final 20 minutes, making 17-of-19.

USF did not take good care of the basketball, committing 25 turnovers, while Pepperdine coughed it up 18 times. The Waves held a slight 37-36 rebounding advantage. San Francisco's starting backcourt went 3-for-14 with eight miscues.

Sauer led three Lady Dons in double-figures, followed by senior guard Melanie Turner with 14 points and junior forward Lisa Whiteside added 12 points. Freshman guard Toni Russell dished out seven assists to go along with six rebounds and four steals.

San Francisco looks to bounce back on Saturday when they host Loyola Marymount in WCC action. Game time is at 7:00 PM at War Memorial Gym.