March 3, 2005

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - In what proved to be the most competitive game during the first day of action at the WCC Championships, Pepperdine (12-16 overall, 7-7 WCC) held on to beat Saint Mary's (15-13 overall, 7-7 WCC), 57-49. Jennifer Lacy led the way for the Waves with 17 points and nine rebounds, while SMC's Triola Jackson was impressive despite the loss, scoring a game-high 20 points and collecting a game-high 13 rebounds.

Pepperdine's Daphanie Kennedy added 15 points and five rebounds, while Syreeta Stafford chipped in 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting to go along with eight rebounds for the Waves.

Saint Mary's started the game on a 12-2 run, but Pepperdine fought back to take a 27-21 lead into the locker room at the half.

Kennedy got things going for the Waves in the first half, scoring nine of her 15 points on 3-of-8 shooting, including 1-for-1 from beyond the arc, while SMC's Jackson posted nine points and six rebounds in the first half.

Pepperdine will face No. 23 Gonzaga in the first semi-final on Saturday, March 5 at 12 pm. Loyola Marymount and Santa Clara will square off in the other semi-final 30 minutes after the conclusion of the Pepperdine vs. Gonzaga game.

All games are being held at the Leavey Center on the campus of Santa Clara University.