SOUTHLAND

Pepperdine 68, UC Santa Barbara 64--Pressure defense, the cornerstone of Coach Jan van Breda Kolff’s philosophy, bailed out the Waves at Goleta.

Pepperdine (6-2) shot 40.6%, but held Santa Barbara (1-5) to 34.5%.

“We are going to have bad shooting games,” van Breda Kolff said. “But when we play good defense, we have a chance to win the game.”

Pepperdine made only 11 of 36 shots but still led, 28-25, at halftime on the strength of a 20-4 run. The Waves continued to struggle offensively until 11:07 remained--and Santa Barbara leading, 44-39--when they made six consecutive shots to turn the tide.

Tommy Prince had only four points before scoring on two dunks and a jump shot to help put Pepperdine ahead, 52-48.

Then Brandon Armstrong made two three-point shots and a 14-foot jumper in a two-minute span to give the Waves a 61-56 lead with three minutes to play.

Armstrong was three for 11 in the first half but finished eight for 21 for a game-high 20 points.

Santa Barbara pulled within 65-63 on two free throws by Mark Hull with 43 seconds left. However, Prince answered with two free throws 12 seconds later.