December 30, 2023

Warriors Visit the Waves in Non-Conference Game

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By Francisco Claudio
 
Per tradition, the Westcliff men's basketball schedule includes some of the toughest non-conference opponents around this time of the year.
 
On Friday, the Westcliff Warriors visited the Pepperdine University Waves and received the full force of the D1 program.
 
The Warriors were able to keep up with the Waves in the first half but then the size and physicality of the opponent took over as Westcliff fell 83-47.
 
Both teams traded baskets to start the first half and were tied 7-7 before Rayven Turner gave Westcliff a one-point lead after a made free-throw.
 
The Waves quickly responded and took over the lead of the game after a three-point shot.
 
From that moment on the Warriors had a hard time stopping Pepperdine, especially on the boards as they were outrebounded 52-28.
 
"Tough battle," said head coach Jerred Cook. "Credit to the Division 1 team. They controlled the game with their length, size, and physicality. We had our chances but could not convert.
 
"We had the same points in the paint as they did but we couldn't convert our own open shots from outside the paint."
 
Westcliff struggled from two-point range as well as from beyond the arc. They shot 28% from the field and were only able to make three from three-point range.
 
Justin Boateng and Turner were able to score double-digits with 10, and Jamal Briscoe was the third-leading scorer with eight points.
 
One positive note is the 10 steals that the Warriors were able to come up with following some solid defensive possessions. 

"We definitely had some flashes that we could build on as a program," Cook said. "These tough battles where we are overmatched at the D1 level should help us take some momentum into the rest of the conference season."

With this game under their belt, Westcliff will need to quickly make adjustments as they'll face USD, another D1 opponent.
 
The Warriors will take on USD on New Year's Eve with an early start time of 1 PM.

"Against USD, we must bring a level of focus & shotmaking along with matching energy and physicality to mirror our D1 opponents," Cook said.