MALIBU, Calif. 1 Pepperdine University men’s basketball opened its 2026-27 season at Firestone Fieldhouse with a dominant 106-66 win over La Sierra Golden Eagles on November 5, marking the first victory for first-year head coach Griff Aldrich.
Forward Petar Majstorovic led the Waves with a highly efficient 21 points on 9-of-10 shooting, alongside three rebounds and three assists. Anthony Robinson posted a career-high 16 points, complementing that with seven rebounds and eight made free throws from 11 attempts. Guard Jahari Williamson came off the bench to contribute 13 points, six assists, and three steals, setting a new personal best in assists.
Pepperdine showcased strong teamwork with 25 assists on 35 field goals, their highest performance since the previous November. The team shot 53 percent from the field and connected on 23-of-29 free throws. Season and collegiate debuts featured noteworthy performances, including Oliver Kanden’s 12 points with four three-pointers and Oren Sahar’s seven points and a steal in six minutes.
Head coach Griff Aldrich expressed satisfaction with his team’s effort: “I am very pleased with our approach this evening and a great way to compete in the home opener. The guys sought to remain focused on executing our principles throughout the game and I was very proud of their effort to do so. It was a good step forward and a nice response from our outing earlier in the week.”
The Waves will return to Firestone Fieldhouse on November 7 to face Bethesda at 6 p.m.
CSB Take
Pepperdine’s commanding win in Griff Aldrich’s debut season start establishes positive momentum for the Waves’ 2026-27 campaign. The team’s efficient scoring, balanced contributions, and high assist tally reflect effective execution of the new coach’s system. Continued development of emerging players and integration of debutants could enhance Pepperdine’s prospects within the West Coast Conference this season.
Source: Original report
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