Los Angeles, CA – On paper, this was supposed to be a total mismatch but you know the old saying: that’s why they play the games. On the final day of the regular season the Pepperdine Waves (17-11) visited the LMU Lions (11-16) and a great basketball game followed. LMU took a 90-83 victory in double overtime to pull off the upset win.
The first half was a major defensive struggle which was suitable for the Lions because they were without their best player Adom Jacko their most reliable offensive weapon. Brandon Brown, their starting point guard definitely picked up the slack, as he was in complete control the whole night. Brown did a great job facilitating the offense and getting good shots for his teammates. For Pepperdine in the first half their leading scorer was Lamond Murray Jr. who took a lot of shots and was very effective from midrange.
The game got much more pleasing to the eyes in the second half. The pace picked up and more shots began to fall. Possibly overlooking a lower level opponent in the 1st half, the Waves picked up their intensity in the second half but by then LMU had already gained enough confidence. LMU knew that they could win this game and they continued to play like it.
In a back and forth second half that came down to the wire, LMU pulled it off and got the win. They made two big time shots at the end of regulation and in the first overtime. The first by Marin Mornar from the corner when they were down 3 to force overtime. Then Munis Tutu tied the game at 78 at the end of the first overtime with a clutch 3 of his own. Dominating the 2nd overtime 12-5, LMU finished off the victory 90-83 on their senior night. Pepperdine played with fire with a lesser foe and got burned.
