PORTLAND, Ore. (Interstat) — In a game where the numbers defied the odds, the Pepperdine Waves executed a disciplined road performance to secure a 70-63 victory over the Portland Pilots in a West Coast Conference women’s basketball clash Thursday night at Chiles Center.

The result was a stark reversal of pregame projections, as Pepperdine, given just a 12.4 percent chance to win by one analytical system, methodically built and maintained a lead against a Portland team that had dominated the statistical forecast. The Waves improved to 18-11 overall, while the Pilots fell to 16-13.

The foundation for Pepperdine’s upset was poured in a stifling second quarter. Leading 15-14 after a tightly contested opening period, the Waves locked down defensively, holding the Pilots to a mere seven points on 3-of-15 shooting from the floor in the quarter. Pepperdine’s offense, while not explosive, did enough to stretch the lead, taking a 26-21 advantage into halftime.

Portland’s offensive struggles were epitomized by a scoring drought of over five minutes in the second quarter. During that span, the Pilots committed four turnovers and missed six consecutive field goal attempts, allowing Pepperdine to establish a cushion it would never fully relinquish.

The third quarter saw both teams find their offensive rhythm. Portland’ Tiffany Barbosa, who finished with a game-high 19 points, and Florence Dallow, who added 15 points and five assists, sparked a Pilot push. But every time Portland threatened, Pepperdine had an answer, primarily from German forward Lina Falk. The 6-foot-2 junior scored 17 points, including a critical three-pointer late in the third quarter that pushed the Waves’ lead back to nine points after the Pilots had closed within four.

The most important sequence of the game, however, unfolded in the final minutes of the fourth quarter with Pepperdine clinging to a tenuous lead. Leading 57-55 with under two minutes to play, the Waves needed a stop. Portland’s Dyani Ananiev, who scored 14 points and recorded four blocks, missed a three-pointer that would have given the Pilots their first lead since the first quarter. Pepperdine’s Shorna Preston secured the defensive rebound, one of her 10 on the night to go with 10 points.

On the ensuing possession, Pepperdine worked the clock before finding Elli Guiney, who drove and dished to a cutting Lina Falk for a layup with 1:14 remaining, extending the lead to 59-55. Portland’s next trip ended in a turnover by Rhyan Mogel, which Pepperdine’s Meghan Fiso promptly stole. The Waves again executed in the half-court, with Guiney feeding Falk for another layup, this time with 42 seconds left, to put Pepperdine up 61-55 and effectively seal the game.

Guiney, the sophomore guard from Goodyear, Arizona, was instrumental in the victory, orchestrating the offense with a team-high six assists while adding 10 points. Her backcourt mate, Taija Sta. Maria of Toronto, also dished out six assists and played a game-high 38 minutes, providing steady ball-handling against Portland’s pressure.

For Pepperdine, balance was key. Beyond Falk’s 17 and Guiney’s 10, Ivory Finley provided a crucial spark off the bench with 13 points, including three three-pointers. The Waves’ defense held Portland to 36.2 percent shooting from the field and forced 18 turnovers, converting them into 19 points.

Portland’s Barbosa, from Stockholm, Sweden, was a consistent offensive threat, but the Pilots could not overcome their cold stretches. Ananiev’s interior presence with her four blocks was notable, but Pepperdine’s persistent attack in the paint, where they scored 34 points, eventually wore down the Portland defense.

The announced attendance was 608 at Chiles Center. The victory completed a regular-season sweep for Pepperdine, which defeated Portland 86-68 in Malibu on Jan. 24.

Pepperdine will look to carry the momentum from this significant road win into its next contest, a quick turnaround at Seattle on Saturday. Portland, meanwhile, must regroup quickly for a formidable home test against conference power Gonzaga, also on Saturday.