MALIBU, Calif. (Interstat) — Pepperdine edged Southern Utah 85-80 in a nonconference women’s basketball game Sunday at Firestone Fieldhouse.

The Waves built a 45-38 halftime lead behind a 26-point first quarter. The Thunderbirds kept pace after the break but could not overcome the early deficit in front of 352 fans. Pepperdine improved to 21-12 overall. Southern Utah fell to 19-13.