No. 19 Gonzaga holds on to beat Pepperdine 89-82 behind Battle’s 21 points
Gonzaga guard Khalif Battle (99) drives during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Pepperdine, Monday, Dec. 30, 2024, in Malibu, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Ryan Sun]
MALIBU, Calif. (AP) — Khalif Battle scored 21 points, Braden Huff added 19 points on 9-of-10 shooting and No. 19 Gonzaga beat Pepperdine 89-82 in the West Coast Conference opener for both teams. Huff converted a three-point play that gave the Bulldogs the lead for good 7:10 into the first half, and Gonzaga (10-4) led 50-32 at the intermission. Freshman Jaxon Olvera scored a season-high 27 points on 12-of-21 shooting for Pepperdine (6-9). After Battle made a layup to open the scoring in the second half and push Gonzaga’s lead to 20 points, the Waves scored 22 of the next 26 points.
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Gonzaga head coach Mark Few, left, reacts during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Pepperdine, Monday, Dec. 30, 2024, in Malibu, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Ryan Sun