LAS VEGAS — Somebody could make a cogent argument that BYU had no business beating Pepperdine in the West Coast Conference Tournament semifinals Monday night.
Somehow, some way, the No. 2 seeded Cougars outlasted the No. 3 Waves 82-77 in overtime at Orleans Arena.
“We’ve joked around a little bit about how we’re ‘beautiful ugly,’” said coach Mark Pope. “We win beautiful ugly. We’ve won 20 times beautiful ugly this year, and we dig it.”
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Brigham Young Cougars head coach Mark Pope celebrates with Brigham Young Cougars guard Alex Barcello (13) after the Cougars defeated Pepperdine in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021. BYU won 82-77 in overtime.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars guard Spencer Johnson (20) flips the ball to teammate Brigham Young Cougars guard Connor Harding (44) after stealing the pass to Pepperdine Waves forward Kessler Edwards (15) as BYU and Pepperdine play in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021. BYU won 82-77 in overtime.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU’s bench erupts in cheers as they and Pepperdine play in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021. BYU won 82-77 in overtime.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars forward Matt Haarms (3) flies out of the play after being fouled by Pepperdine Waves center Victor Ohia Obioha (34) as BYU and Pepperdine play in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021. BYU won 82-77 in overtime.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars forward Matt Haarms (3) blocks the shot attempt of Pepperdine Waves guard Sedrick Altman (0) as BYU and Pepperdine play in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021. BYU won 82-77 in overtime.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars guard Alex Barcello (13) flips in a shot as he is defended by Pepperdine Waves center Victor Ohia Obioha (34) giving BYU the lead in regulation as BYU and Pepperdine play in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021. BYU won 82-77 in overtime.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars head coach Mark Pope claps and cheers for his team as BYU and Pepperdine play in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021. BYU won 82-77 in overtime.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU’s bench erupts after a foul call as they and Pepperdine play in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars guard Spencer Johnson (20) wrestles Pepperdine Waves guard Colbey Ross (4) for the ball as BYU and Pepperdine play in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars guard Alex Barcello (13) goes up for a shot with Pepperdine Waves forward Jan Zidek (31) defending as BYU and Pepperdine play in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars forward Matt Haarms (3) is fouled by Pepperdine Waves guard Sedrick Altman (0) under the hoop as BYU and Pepperdine play in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars forward Gideon George (5) loses the handle on the ball as he is defended by Pepperdine Waves forward Kessler Edwards (15) as BYU and Pepperdine play in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars forward Gideon George (5) is defended by Pepperdine Waves forward Kessler Edwards (15) as BYU and Pepperdine play in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars guard Brandon Averette (4) jumps and passes the ball as BYU and Pepperdine play in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021.
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Pepperdine Waves center Victor Ohia Obioha (34) and Brigham Young Cougars forward Matt Haarms (3) work for a rebound as BYU and Pepperdine play in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars forward Gideon George (5) puts up a shot over Pepperdine Waves forward Kene Chukwuka (24) as BYU and Pepperdine play in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars center Richard Harward (42) works to get up a shot with Pepperdine Waves forward Kene Chukwuka (24) and Pepperdine Waves forward Kessler Edwards (15) defending on the play as BYU and Pepperdine play in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars center Richard Harward (42) is fouled by Pepperdine Waves guard Colbey Ross (4) as BYU and Pepperdine play in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars center Richard Harward (42) tries to get off a shot as he is hit by Pepperdine Waves guard Jade’ Smith (5) as BYU and Pepperdine play in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021.
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Brigham Young Cougars center Richard Harward (42) jumps for a pass at the rim as BYU and Pepperdine play in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars forward Matt Haarms (3) battles Pepperdine Waves forward Jan Zidek (31) under the hoop as BYU and Pepperdine play in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars guard Brandon Averette (4) goes in for a layup as BYU and Pepperdine play in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU players prepare to play Pepperdine in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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A few BYU players gather on the court as they and Pepperdine begin warmups prior to playing in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU and Pepperdine players begin warmups prior to playing in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU and Pepperdine players begin warmups prior to playing in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU and Pepperdine players begin warmups prior to playing in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars forward Matt Haarms (3) works to get up a shot with Pepperdine Waves forward Jan Zidek (31) and Pepperdine Waves forward Kessler Edwards (15) defending him as BYU and Pepperdine play in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021. BYU won 82-77 in overtime.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars forward Matt Haarms (3) reacts after Pepperdine Waves guard Sedrick Altman (0) was able to draw a foul on him as BYU and Pepperdine play in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021. BYU won 82-77 in overtime.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars forward Caleb Lohner (33) puts in a shot with Pepperdine Waves center Victor Ohia Obioha (34) and Pepperdine Waves forward Kessler Edwards (15) defending him as BYU and Pepperdine play in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021. BYU won 82-77 in overtime.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars forward Gideon George (5) knocks the ball away from Pepperdine Waves forward Kessler Edwards (15) as BYU and Pepperdine play in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021. BYU won 82-77 in overtime.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Pepperdine Waves center Victor Ohia Obioha (34) tries to grab a rebound over Brigham Young Cougars guard Trevin Knell (21) and Brigham Young Cougars guard Spencer Johnson (20) as BYU and Pepperdine play in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021. BYU won 82-77 in overtime.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars head coach Mark Pope reacts after a bad pass was stolen by Pepperdine Waves guard Jade’ Smith (5) as BYU and Pepperdine play in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021. BYU won 82-77 in overtime.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars head coach Mark Pope reacts after a bad pass was stolen by Pepperdine Waves guard Jade’ Smith (5) as BYU and Pepperdine play in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021. BYU won 82-77 in overtime.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars forward Gideon George (5) reaches out for a defensive rebound as BYU and Pepperdine play in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021. BYU won 82-77 in overtime.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars forward Caleb Lohner (33) grabs a rebound over Pepperdine Waves forward Kene Chukwuka (24) as BYU and Pepperdine play in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021. BYU won 82-77 in overtime.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars guard Trevin Knell (21) puts in a layup as BYU and Pepperdine play in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021. BYU won 82-77 in overtime.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars center Richard Harward (42) battles Pepperdine Waves forward Kessler Edwards (15) as BYU and Pepperdine play in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021. BYU won 82-77 in overtime.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars guard Alex Barcello (13) goes under and up for a shot with seconds left in regulation as BYU and Pepperdine play in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021. BYU won 82-77 in overtime.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Pepperdine Waves guard Sedrick Altman (0) walks to the corner of the court after having his shot blocked by Brigham Young Cougars forward Matt Haarms (3) as BYU and Pepperdine play in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021. BYU won 82-77 in overtime.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Pepperdine Waves guard Colbey Ross (4) gestures after hitting a game-tying shot at the end of regulation as BYU and Pepperdine play in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021. BYU won 82-77 in overtime.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars guard Brandon Averette (4) reacts to fouling Pepperdine Waves guard Sedrick Altman (0) at the 3-point line as BYU and Pepperdine play in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021. BYU won 82-77 in overtime.
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Brigham Young Cougars guard Spencer Johnson (20) tries to defend Pepperdine Waves forward Kene Chukwuka (24) as BYU and Pepperdine play in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021. BYU won 82-77 in overtime.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars bench and coaches react as BYU and Pepperdine play in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021. BYU won 82-77 in overtime.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars guard Brandon Averette (4) and Brigham Young Cougars forward Matt Haarms (3) try to defend Pepperdine Waves guard Sedrick Altman (0) as BYU and Pepperdine play in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021. BYU won 82-77 in overtime.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU’s bench cheers after a blocked shot as BYU and Pepperdine play in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021. BYU won 82-77 in overtime.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Pepperdine Waves guard Colbey Ross (4) pushes up a shot, evening the game at the end of regulation as BYU and Pepperdine play in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021. BYU won 82-77 in overtime.
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Brigham Young Cougars guard Brandon Averette (4) lifts his arms as he looks in the direction of a referee after fouling out of the game as BYU and Pepperdine play in semifinal West Coast Conference tournament basketball action at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, March 8, 2021. BYU won 82-77 in overtime.
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Senior Alex Barcello scored a game-high 23 points and grabbed nine rebounds and he knocked down four free throws in the final 14 seconds in OT, but a timely steal by Spencer Johnson with 16 seconds left in overtime became the play of the game and sealed the win.
Johnson redeemed himself after a couple of mistakes at the end of regulation.
“He had one thought in his mind — that was winning,” Barcello said of Johnson’s heroic steal. “That carries on throughout our entire team. That play won us the game, I think, going out there and getting a steal. We stressed before the game to make (Pepperdine star Kessler) Edwards get tough catches and that’s exactly what he did right there.”
It was that kind of crazy, intense, tournament game that defines the month of March.
BYU (20-5) trailed by as many as 12 points in the first half, and it led for only 4:04 of a 45-minute slugfest.
That the Cougars won by forcing a turnover is a little ironic, considering they had 21 turnovers themselves and allowed Pepperdine to score 24 points off those turnovers.
But BYU made enough plays to force overtime and then made more plays — including 9 of 10 free throws in OT — to survive and advance.
The Cougars will play top-seed and No. 1 ranked Gonzaga Tuesday (7 p.m., MST, ESPN) in the WCC Tournament championship game. The Zags (25-0) defeated No. 3 Saint Mary’s earlier Monday, 78-55.
“We’re the only team in the country that will get to play Gonzaga three times,” Pope said. “We’re really blessed because they are a great team. They are a generational team. I don’t know when, or if, I’ve seen a team with five guys on the floor that are as skilled and can pass the ball and make plays like they can.”
But there were plenty of moments Monday where it looked like BYU was going to go one-and-done in the WCC Tournament for the third season in a row.
After battling back to tie the game 35-35 at halftime, the Cougars’ first lead came early in the second half on a basket by Matt Haarms. That lead lasted all of 12 seconds.
From there, Pepperdine extended its lead to 10 with 8:45 remaining. Trailing 70-66 with 1:53 left, BYU scored six straight points to take a 72-70 lead. However, both Brandon Averette and Johnson missed crucial free throws late.
Johnson made one of two from the charity stripe with 5.6 seconds on the clock. Then Colbey Ross was able to score a game-tying jumper over Johnson with one second left to force overtime.
In the extra session, Barcello hit a jumper to put BYU up 74-72. That was the Cougars’ final field goal of the night.
BYU led 78-76 when Johnson jumped a passing lane, tipped the ball away from Edwards and saved the ball behind his back to Connor Harding, who flipped it to Barcello. The senior was fouled and buried both free throws with 7.7 seconds on the clock.
“We believe that every single guy on this team is making game-winning contributions,” Pope said. “Everybody’s contributing.”
Haarms finished with 18 points and seven rebounds. He also had three blocks, including a huge one with seven seconds left in regulation. Averette had 16 points while Caleb Lohner ended up with nine points and nine rebounds.
Edwards had 20 points for Pepperdine while Ross had 16, though he shot just 7 of 24 from the floor and 1 of 9 from 3-point range.
“It’s a tough feeling right now. This is my last chance to play in the WCC Tournament, my last chance to make the NCAA Tournament, so it’s tough right now,” Ross said. “I’m pretty sad, honestly. That was my biggest goal.”
The game featured 49 fouls. Pepperdine made just 5 of 27 3-pointers and BYU hit just 7 of 21.
The Cougars seem to thrive on adversity. They lost to Pepperdine 76-73 in Malibu on Jan. 27 and were determined not to let that happen again.
“We kept looking each other in the eye in our media timeouts, telling each other, ‘The game’s not over. We’ve got a lot of game left. That’s exactly what we do,’” Barcello said. “We turn frustration into fight. Every single thing went wrong in the first half for us, but the guys battled back. I’m so proud of us.”
“I’m really grateful for the toughness of our guys, that we were able to get it done in the end,” Pope said. “So much of that credit on the floor and off the floor goes to Alex Barcello. We’re incredibly happy and excited about moving on.”
Question is, does BYU have anything left for Gonzaga? The Zags handled the Cougars in both of their previous matchups this season in Spokane and in Provo.
“We were incredibly frustrated with our first effort. Our second effort was a little bit better. We’ve got to find a way to step up and raise our level our play to match them,” Pope said. “They deserve a great game and we’re hungry to play a great game. We think, we think we have more in the tank. We believe we do. It is a real blessing. You couldn’t ask for anything more than to get another shot at those guys. They’re really special. We think we’re special also.”
Playing Gonzaga again is a challenge that Barcello relishes. BYU has an opportunity to play for a conference championship.
“It means everything to us. We set out with a few goals at the beginning of the season,” he said. “Things are coming true. We still have games left ahead of us and things we want to accomplish. This team is so great at going out there and laying everything we have on the floor. That’s exactly what we’re going to do tomorrow night. We’re going to give it everything we have.”
That still might not be enough to upset the mighty Zags, but BYU is just grateful for the chance — especially after what happened Monday night against Pepperdine.
