Pepperdine women's basketball is set to host UC Davis in the first round of the Women's National Invitational Tournament (WNIT) on Thursday night, marking the first time the program has hosted a postseason game. The Waves, with a record of 19-12, are coming off a recent loss in the West Coast Conference tournament but have shown improvement this season, achieving their highest conference win total in six years. UC Davis enters the game with a record of 23-10 and a strong performance in the Big West conference.

By the Numbers
  • Pepperdine has secured eight conference wins, the most since the 2019-2020 season.
  • UC Davis boasts a season record of 23-10 and a 15-5 mark in the Big West.
State of Play
  • This is Pepperdine's first postseason appearance in seven years.
  • Elli Guiney leads the Waves in scoring, averaging 14.6 points per game and awarded All-WCC first team honors.
  • UC Davis has lost in the semi-finals of their conference tournament, holding a 9-6 record on the road.
What's Next

If Pepperdine secures a victory against UC Davis, they could advance further in the WNIT, aiming to capitalize on their home court advantage and continued team improvement under Coach Faulkner's leadership.

Bottom Line

Pepperdine's journey reflects a significant program turnaround, with a chance to solidify their growth in the postseason. This game is crucial not only for team morale but also for establishing a stronger basketball identity moving forward.