Malibu, CA (Jan. 22, 2000) - USF battled but could not overcome a Pepperdine offense clicking on all cylinders late in the second half, so the Lady Dons fell 77-70 Saturday in Malibu. Pepperdine (10-7, 3-1) made half of their shots in the second period (13-26) while USF (8-9, 1-3), converted on just 11-28 (.393). Four Pepperdine starters reached double-digits in scoring with Dee Braxton and Rasheeda Clark each pouring in 18 for the Waves.

USF got a remarkable 45 points from their bench, led by sophomore guard Melanie Turner's game-high 20, but unfortunately the Lady Dons starters accounted for only 25 points. USF senior center Sarah Wanless who became just the 13th Lady Don to surpass 1000 career points started her 100th career game in a USF uniform, but played just three minutes due to a foot injury. Her absence was felt as USF post players were in foul trouble all evening as the officiating crew whistled a total of 49 personal fouls during the contest.

San Francisco crept out of the gate slowly in the first half and trailed by as many as 10 points, 16-6 with 14:44 remaining. USF clawed back into the contest at the 5:27 mark taking a 32-31 lead on a jumper by sophomore guard Melanie Turner. The lead would change hands five more times before intermission with Pepperdine clinging to a 39-38 advantage at recess. Once again the Lady Dons were saved by charity, converting on 10-12 from the foul line while the Waves managed only 8-16. USF got 23 points from their bench in the first frame led by senior forward Krista Knapp, who continued her trend of huge games against the Waves with seven points in the period.

In the second half, USF forced a tie with 12:39 remaining, 48-48 on a 3-pointer by Turner, but the Lady Dons never led in the second half, while Pepperdine led by as many as 12 with 3:15 remaining in the contest. Every time USF made a run inside of five minutes, the Waves found an immediate answer.

Turner led the way for the Lady Dons with a season-high 20 points, Knapp finished with nine points, while junior center Kim Whisler scored 11 points and pulled down a team-high five rebounds for USF.

USF escapes from LA and returns to the friendlier confines of War Memorial Gym for the third week of WCC play next weekend when they have an immediate chance to avenge their loss to Pepperdine when they host the same Waves on Friday. Loyola Marymount visits on Saturday. Both games are scheduled for a 7:00 pm tip-off.