MALIBU, Calif. -- Beginning their final week of regular season action, the USF Dons women's basketball team (18-11, 8-9) weren't able to build much momentum throughout Thursday night's game as they fell to the Pepperdine Waves (9-18, 4-13) by a final score at Firestone Fieldhouse. 

Leading the way for the Dons on Thursday night was Kennedy Dickie, who recorded yet another double-double for her team, while Aya Kéita set a new career-high scoring eight points off the bench for USF against the Waves. 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

• Both teams got off to a slow offensive start on Thursday night in Malibu, as both teams were able to score just one bucket through the first media timeout with Loren Christie knocking down a jumper for the Dons. The defensive intensity didn't let up throughout the low scoring first quarter as USF was able to head into the second with the lead as Amy Baum streaked to the basket for an impressive lay up giving the Dons an 11-10 advantage. 
• USF extended their lead out of the gates in the second as Dickie knocked down a corner three-point shot that put the Dons up 14-10 before Pepperdine was able to retake the lead and build it throughout the quarter. The Dons were able to get the deficit down to one point on a long distance make from Ioanna Krimili but the Waves ended the quarter on a run of their own to lead 27-18 at the break. 
• Coming out of the half, USF scored their first bucket of the third quarter on a nice move from Abby Rathbun that brought Pepperdine's lead down to 29-20 while Dickie followed with a three-point shot of her own that brought USF within six points. The Waves retook control of the game the rest of the quarter as they grew their lead to 20 points as USF trailed 49-28 with 10 minutes left to play.
• Deploying a whole new unit for the remainder of the contest, the Dons defense didn't relent as they worked to try and force turnovers to get back closer as they forced 11 total for the game, but were unable to climb all the way back falling short by a 73-51 final score on Thursday night. 

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:

• Dickie was all over the floor for the Dons on Thursday night as she accumulated a 12 points and 11 rebounds double-double against Pepperdine on Thursday.
• Kéita had a nice game off the USF bench as she scored eight points and grabbed a pair of rebounds in her 11 minutes of action against the Waves. 
• Malia Latu put together a nice effort for her team in a reserve role scoring seven points, securing three rebounds, dishing out a pair of assists and coming away with a steal on Thursday. 

POST GAME WITH THE DONS:

• To view our post game press conference with USF associate head coach Janell Jones, please click here. 

UP NEXT:
The Dons now turn their attention to their final game of the regular season as they will face off with the LMU Lions (7-20, 4-12) on Saturday, Feb. 25 at 4:00 p.m. from Gersten Pavilion. USF is seeking the season series split with the Lions after falling 68-59 up on the Hilltop in their first WCC contest of the season. 

TICKETS AND MERCHANDISE:
Single-game tickets for West Coast Conference basketball games are currently on sale at www.usfdons.com/tickets. 

Want to dress like the Dons? Rep USF today by visiting the all-new USF Dons online store at www.usfdons.com/shop.

FOLLOW US:
For updates and more information on the USF women's basketball program, follow the Dons @USFDonsWBB on Twitter, @USFDonsWBB on Instagram and @USFDonsWBB on Facebook.

SPONSOR THE DONS:
The University of San Francisco Athletics Department would like to acknowledge and thank our primary sponsor - Provident Credit Union - for their continued support of USF Athletics. Interested in sponsoring the Dons? Please contact Frank Allocco, the Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director of External Relations, at fallocco@usfca.edu or at (415) 422-4561.