Russell leads Pepperdine to 66-56 victory

By foxsports
Published

MALIBU, Calif. (AP) Atif Russell made 5 of 6 3-pointers and scored a career-high 19 points to lead Pepperdine over Cal State Northridge 66-56 on Thursday night.

Russell, averaging 5.5 points a game coming in, led a 52.4 percent night (11 of 21) from the arc for the Waves (4-1), who shot only 37 percent overall. The Waves also made 15 of 17 free throws.

Jett Raines added 13 points and Stacy Davis 13 rebounds along with 11 points. Raines scored in double figures for the 15th straight game.

Russell had 11 points in the first half, including a trio of 3-pointers during a 13-0 run that put Pepperdine in front 31-18 just before halftime. The Matadors didn't get closer than six in the second half.

Pepperdine entered the week ranked fifth nationally in 3-point defense and blanked the Matadors on 11 attempts.

Stephan Hicks had 22 points for the Matadors (2-7).