Preview: Portland Pilots vs. Pepperdine Waves

MALIBU, Calif. (Interstat) — Two teams with identical records and recent frustrations will meet Saturday when the Portland Pilots visit the Pepperdine Waves in a West Coast Conference women’s basketball matchup at Firestone Fieldhouse.

Both teams enter the Jan. 24 contest at 11-9 overall and seeking to rebound from narrow road losses this past Thursday. Portland fell 77-68 at Loyola Marymount, while Pepperdine suffered a 53-51 defeat at Saint Mary’s.

The Pilots are led by guard Rhyan Mogel, who has been a model of consistency. In her last eight games, she has averaged 10.1 points and 6.4 assists while logging heavy minutes, including a 36-minute, 12-point, 7-assist performance in the loss to LMU. Her playmaking will be central to Portland’s attack.

Pepperdine will counter with guard Seleh Harmon, who is coming off a team-high 15-point effort against Saint Mary’s. Harmon’s scoring provides a key offensive spark for the Waves.

The series adds a layer of intrigue as this begins a home-and-home set between the programs; they are scheduled to meet again in Portland on Feb. 26.

Portland’s recent form has been uneven, with a 5-3 record over its last eight games, though the three losses were by an average of just 7.3 points. Pepperdine has struggled more lately, going 2-6 over its same eight-game stretch, with four of those losses by five points or fewer, including an overtime defeat.

The game will feature two teams desperate to climb the WCC standings and build momentum. Portland will look to leverage Mogel’s orchestration and balance, as seen in Thursday’s game where Nicole Rodriguez and Florence Dallow also scored in double figures. Pepperdine will aim to tighten its defense after a series of close setbacks and find more consistent scoring beyond Harmon.

Tipoff is set for Saturday afternoon in Malibu.