SAN FRANCISCO – The Pepperdine Waves scored 51 points in the second half to erase a 10-point halftime deficit and win 76-68 on Wednesday afternoon at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center.
 
The Dons (10-9, 4-5 WCC) were held to 33 points in the second half and shot just 39.7 percent from the field, including an 8-for-29 mark from beyond the arc.
 
Pepperdine (9-8, 5-3 WCC) shot 52.5 percent from the field. In the second half, the Waves shot a blistering 65.6 percent from the field (21-for-32).  Four Pepperdine players finished in double figures, led by Colbey Ross's game-high 22 points. Joining him in double figures were Sedrick Altman with 15, Jan Zidek with 15, and Kessler Edwards with 13. Ross came alive after the intermission, netting 16 points in the second half to push the Waves.
 
USF was led by Khalil Shabazz's 20. He was 8-for-19 from the field and 3-for-9 from beyond the arc. Isaiah Hawthorne bucketed a career-high 13 points, finishing the game 3-for-6 from the floor and 2-for-4 from beyond the arc in his most extensive action of the season.
 
Pepperdine struck first but the Dons responded with a 12-2 run to go up 12-4 early. USF was getting contributions from throughout the lineup early: seven players scored at least two points for the Dons in the first half.
 
USF increased their lead to a game-high 13 points with 15 seconds reaming in the first half thanks to a Damari Milstead layup in the paint. Milstead was tremendous in his 21 minutes off the bench, contributing eight points, two rebounds and two assists on the day.
 
USF shot 38.7 percent in the first half and was 6-for-18 from beyond the arc. They went in to the locker room leading by 10 after a triple from Edwards with four seconds remaining.
 
The Dons' defense was very active in the opening half, creating eight Pepperdine turnovers that they converted into nine points. 
 
Out of the break, a pair of free throws by Dzmitry Ryuny had USF up 12, 37-25 early in the second half. From there, Ross and the Waves took over. Pepperdine finished with 42 points in the paint, 32 of which came in the second half.
 
An 8-0 run by Pepperdine with 4:59 to play finally tied the contest up at 59-59.  The Waves took their first lead one possession later, going up 61-59 on a jump hook in the paint by Zidek.
 
Edwards put the game on ice with a three-point field goal with 1:19 to play.
 
The Dons will return to action on Saturday when they host No. 1 Gonzaga.  The Dons and Bulldogs will tip off at 3:05 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN2.  Dave Flemming and Sean Farnham will have the call on the television side.  Pat Olson will have the Dons radio broadcast on KNBR 680-AM and 104.5 FM.