Gonzaga Defeats Pepperdine in WCC Opener

No. 19 Gonzaga opened its West Coast Conference play with a hard-fought 89-82 victory over Pepperdine, marking their 48th consecutive win against the Waves. Gonzaga, who struggled with close games in nonconference play, led comfortably at halftime with a 50-32 advantage, thanks in part to Khalif Battle's strong performance. Freshman Jaxon Olvera led Pepperdine with 27 points, while Moe Odum contributed 24 points and eight assists. Despite a strong second half from Pepperdine, Gonzaga managed to maintain their lead and secure the win, continuing their historic dominance over the Waves. Gonzaga will face Portland next, while Pepperdine prepares for a matchup against Saint Mary's. Coach Mark Few remains optimistic about his team's potential to improve after a challenging nonconference schedule.