MALIBU, Calif. (Interstat) — In a West Coast Conference clash defined by grinding defense and offensive inefficiency, the Pepperdine Waves edged the Portland Pilots 67-63 on Wednesday night at Firestone Fieldhouse. The game, witnessed by 671 fans, was a battle of attrition where neither team led by more than seven points and the outcome remained in doubt until the final seconds.

Portland, which entered as a narrow favorite, fell to 9-11 overall. Pepperdine, snapping a three-game skid, improved to 6-14. The combined 130 points fell well short of the pregame over/under line of 145.5, a testament to the struggle both teams faced in generating consistent offense.

The contest turned decisively in the final three minutes. With Pepperdine clinging to a 60-59 lead, Portland’s James O’Donnell committed a turnover that was stolen by Pepperdine’s Danilo Dozic. On the ensuing possession, Aaron Clark was fouled and sank both free throws to push the Waves’ lead to three. After an empty Portland trip, Styles Phipps drove for a layup to give Pepperdine a 64-59 cushion with just under a minute to play.

Portland’s Cameron Williams missed a layup that could have cut the deficit, and Clark secured the defensive rebound for Pepperdine. He was immediately fouled and calmly made both free throws, extending the lead to 66-59 with 23 seconds remaining. A last-gasp three-pointer by Portland’s Mikah Ballew with 38 seconds left had brought the Pilots within four, but the Waves sealed the game at the line. Clark’s two makes were part of a critical 6-0 personal run in the final 1:26 that provided the necessary separation.

The first half set the tone for the defensive struggle, ending in a 32-32 deadlock. Portland’s offense was particularly hampered by poor shooting, finishing the game 25 of 66 from the field, a dismal 37.9%. Their troubles were most acute from beyond the arc, where they hit just 7 of 33 attempts. Pepperdine was only marginally better, shooting 24 of 53 overall and 7 of 23 from three-point range. The Waves, however, capitalized more effectively at the free-throw line, making 12 of 20 attempts compared to Portland’s 6 of 9.

Pepperdine’s backcourt duo of Styles Phipps and Aaron Clark proved to be the difference. Phipps, a guard from Phoenix, led all scorers with 16 points, adding four steals. Clark, from Easton, Pennsylvania, was instrumental down the stretch and finished with 18 points, 4 assists and 3 steals. Forward Yonatan Levy of Hod HaSharon, Israel, provided a crucial interior presence with 11 points and 9 rebounds.

Portland was led by a double-double from point guard Joel Foxwell of Melbourne, Australia, who tallied 10 points and 10 assists. Cameron Williams of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, scored a team-high 14 points, while James O’Donnell of Sydney, Australia, contributed 13 points off the bench. The Pilots won the battle on the glass, grabbing 13 offensive rebounds to Pepperdine’s 9, but their 12 turnovers and icy shooting ultimately proved too much to overcome.

The game’s tempo and physical nature were reflected in the advanced metrics. Pepperdine scored 67 points on just 64 possessions, for an offensive rating of 103.9. Portland was less efficient, managing only 63 points on 69 possessions for an offensive rating of 90.9. Both teams generated points off turnovers, with Pepperdine holding a slight 15-13 edge, but fast-break opportunities were nearly nonexistent, combining for only two points.

The victory gives Pepperdine a measure of momentum as they prepare for a daunting road trip to face Gonzaga next Wednesday. Portland, meanwhile, looks to regroup quickly before a Saturday road game at Loyola Marymount. The two teams are scheduled for a rematch in Portland on Feb. 18.