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West Coast Conference Basketball Notebook as of January 3, 2016

By Mary Harvill

Jan 3, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Pilots guard Alec Wintering (2) looks for an open teammate as he dribbles toward the basket during the second half of the game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at Earle A. Chiles Center. The Bulldogs won 87-75. Mandatory Credit: Godofredo Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Pilots guard Alec Wintering (2) looks for an open teammate as he dribbles toward the basket during the second half of the game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at Earle A. Chiles Center. The Bulldogs won 87-75. Mandatory Credit: Godofredo Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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allGonzaga 102 San Francisco 94 in OT January 2, 2016

3 Take Aways from the Game:

San Francisco is a Sneaker Wave. When all pistons are firing with this team, they are one tough customer.The first half of the Gonzaga game was proof positive that the Dons can drain three-point shots like an NBA team whether it is Devin Watson, Tim Derksen or newcomer Ronnie Boyce III or more accurately, Ronnie Boyce, the trey.

The Dons finished the first half with 14 three point shots. Excellent strategy from the coaching staff was not enough to overcome ice cold shooting in the second half by the Dons.

Gonzaga is Vulnerable. Though adjustments to the loss of Przemek Karnowski are still being made, the team as a whole is not as strong, even with Kyle Wiltjer, the preseason pick for Player of the Year honors.

Domantas Sabonis is the new go to guy and he has been carrying this team on his strong shoulders in Karnowski’s absence. The Zags need to find three other players to share the load. Josh Perkins and Eric McClellan are capable but need more seasoning.

War Memorial Gym, even with the additional moniker of The Sobrato Center in San Francisco continues to be a difficult place for Gonzaga to dominate.

March 7, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; San Francisco Dons guard/forward Tim Derksen (32, front) controls the basketball against Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Domantas Sabonis (11) during the second half in the quarterfinals of the West Coast Conference tournament at Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
March 7, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; San Francisco Dons guard/forward Tim Derksen (32, front) controls the basketball against Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Domantas Sabonis (11) during the second half in the quarterfinals of the West Coast Conference tournament at Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

However, Gonzaga closed out the game for the win, a skill San Francisco must master to take its game to the next level in the WCC.

Devin Watson just keeps getting better. Showing maturity beyond his years last season as a freshman and even more confidence without arrogance as a sophomore (though poor shot selection in the second half of this game), look for this young man to continue to dazzle.

Other players have emerged from the San Francisco bench too, most notably, Uche Ofoegbu. Patiently waiting on the bench for his star turn for the past two years, Ofoegbu finished the evening with 18 points, a career best.

The Dons have assembled a talented group who will continue to surprise any team that doesn’t take their skills seriously. Any game against San Francisco won’t be a cupcake game.

 

San Francisco 107 Portland 95 – December 31, 2015

Not a very happy new year for Portland as San Francisco grabbed a new gear, closed a 15 point gap and emerged from War Memorial Gym at The Sobrato Center the game winner.

Five Dons scored in double figures, Tim Derksen with a career high of 27 points, Devin Watson, 22 points, Ronnie Boyce III 15 points and Nate Renfro 13 points. Dont’e Reynolds finished with his second double-double of the season, scoring 12 points with 10 always important rebounds.

Portland’s Alec Wintering led all players in the game with 31 points. Jazz Johnson bounced off of the bench to score 22 points. Bryce Pressley had a quiet night by comparison finishing with 12 points. Portland shot 60.6% in the first half, then tumbled to a 26.5% shooting average in the second half. Ouch! Gabe Taylor and Phillip Hartwich had the most rebounds for Portland with 7 each.

Saint Mary’s 85 BYU 74 – December 31, 2015

The Gaels were dominant against the Cougars showing that they will be a force to be reckoned with this season. They are unbeaten in WCC play. Calvin Hermanson led Saint Mary’s with 20 points. Jock Landale was perfect in the paint, hitting 5 for 5 and finishing the game with 14 points.

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Dale Pinneau also had 14 points. Evan Fitzner tallied 11 points.

Showing balance across the board and a tough minded defense, Saint Mary’s held BYU in check. Kyle Collinsworth, Chase Fischer, Nick Emery and Kyle Davis were held to 5 for 28 shooting and 12 points in the first half alone. An outstanding night for Saint Mary’s defeating BYU.

Pepperdine Split Decision – Losing to Portland 87-79 December 23, 2016; Winning in OT at LMU 68-65 January 2, 2015

After losing badly at Gonzaga in Spokane, WA, the Waves travelled to Portland to face the Pilots before Christmas. Pepperdine lost another game on the road to Portland 87-79.

A lump of coal in their socks was all Pepperdine had to show for their efforts, in spite of a second huge game from Jeremy Major who scored 28 points. Lamond Murray, Jr., contributed 16 points, five rebounds and three steals.

Losing two key players, shooting guards Shawn Olden and Atif Russell to injuries did not help the Waves. Stacy Davis was uncharacteristically quiet scoring only 8 points with 6 rebounds.

Portland’s Chiles Center is seemingly a haunted house for Pepperdine who have won only once in the last eight times the team have played in Portland.

Alec Wintering came up huge for Portland scoring a career high 34 points. Bryce Pressley had 15 points and Jarrel Marshall contributed 10 points. Portland’s bench scored 22-5 against the Waves.

Pepperdine 68 Loyola Marymount 65 – January 2, 2016

Bouncing back with an OT win against LMU at home, Pepperdine defeated the LMU Lions 68-65. They will take the win, thank you very much, starting the new year out on the right foot and with some badly needed momentum.

Nov 13, 2015; Fresno, CA, USA; Pepperdine Waves guard Jeremy Major (3) drives to the hoop against the Fresno State Bulldogs in the first half at the Save Mart Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2015; Fresno, CA, USA; Pepperdine Waves guard Jeremy Major (3) drives to the hoop against the Fresno State Bulldogs in the first half at the Save Mart Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

A Stacy Davis double double (11 points, 15 rebounds) combined with 18 points from Lamond Murray, Jr., and 17 points from Jett Raines, 15 of those points coming after half-time were a bonus for Pepperdine.

Pepperdine has won  5 of 6 contest in which Stacy Davis gets a double-double.

The team has unfortunately lost yet another shooting guard. A.J. Lapray went down with an injury which leaves them short-handed in a key position.

Adom Jacko led LMU’s scorers with 21 points and nine rebounds, narrowly missing a double double to call his own. Brandon Brown had 12 points. ‘

Buay Tuach and Marin Mornar both contributed eight points keeping the Lions in the mix during regulation play, though they led only once the entire game and that was at the 1:47 mark in the second half with a score of 61-59.

Jett Raines tied up the game 61-61 with a layup with 1:33 left in the game ultimately sending the game into overtime where the Waves proved too much for the Lions to handle, reclaiming the lead and securing the win, 68-65.