MALIBU, Calif. – The Pepperdine Waves women’s basketball team lost a close defensive contest to the Princeton Tigers by a score of 41-49 on November 13, 2026, at Firestone Fieldhouse. Pepperdine held a 34-31 lead going into the fourth quarter but was limited to just seven points in the final period as Princeton rallied to take control.
Despite Princeton being held scoreless for nearly six minutes during the fourth, the Tigers scored an 11-point run to pull away. Pepperdine’s bench outscored Princeton’s 12-8, and the Waves outscored their opponents 22-20 in the paint. Both teams finished with 37 rebounds each, reflecting a physical and intense game.
Guard Lina Falk led Pepperdine with 14 points and Elli Guiney contributed a double-double, scoring 10 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Head Coach Katie Faulkner praised her team’s effort against a top mid-major program, emphasizing the execution of their game plan and competitiveness despite the loss.
The Waves are scheduled to play next at the University of Nevada on November 17, 2026, with tipoff at 11 a.m. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+.
CSB Take
While the defeat was disappointing, Pepperdine Waves women’s basketball showcased resilience and effective defensive play against a nationally recognized opponent. The close nature of the game and the team’s ability to compete with a highly ranked mid-major signals potential growth this season. As the Waves prepare for upcoming road and conference games, building on these strong defensive performances and bench contributions will be critical to turning narrow losses into victories.
Source: Original report
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