MALIBU, Calif. (Interstat) — Two teams riding opposite momentum will meet Thursday when the UC Davis women’s basketball team visits Pepperdine in a nonconference matchup.

The Aggies (23-10) enter having lost three of their last four, including an 84-79 defeat at UC San Diego on March 13. The Waves (19-12), meanwhile, have won four of their last five, with their only recent setback an 86-69 home loss to San Francisco on March 7.

UC Davis will lean on guard Avery Sussex, who is coming off a 27-point, four-assist performance in the loss to UCSD. Over her last eight games, Sussex is averaging 15.6 points, including three outings of 20 or more points. She will need support from Nya Epps (20 points vs. UCSD) and Megan Norris (13 points) to counter a balanced Pepperdine attack.

The Waves are led by guard Elli Guiney, who scored 22 points with four assists in the loss to San Francisco. She has been a consistent scorer, reaching double figures in four of her last five contests, including a 20-point game against Santa Clara on Feb. 21. Pepperdine’s offense has been potent during its recent run, scoring 70 or more points in four of those five games.

Defensively, the Aggies will aim to tighten up after allowing an average of 75.3 points in their three recent losses. Pepperdine’s defense, which held three of its last five opponents under 67 points, will test a UC Davis team that has struggled with scoring consistency down the stretch.

Historically, the programs have not met in recent seasons, adding an element of the unknown to the late-season clash. For UC Davis, the game is a final chance to build confidence before any potential postseason play. For Pepperdine, it’s an opportunity to reach the 20-win mark and solidify its resume.

Tipoff at Firestone Fieldhouse is set for 7 p.m. PDT on Thursday, March 19.