MALIBU, Calif. (AP)—Keion Bell scored Pepperdine’s final 12 points to help the Waves hold off Cal State San Bernardino 72-70 Friday night.
Bell had a game-high 22 points as the Waves (1-2) rallied back from a 12-point second-half deficit against the Division II Coyotes (0-1).
Pepperdine had a 39-37 lead with 17 minutes left in the second half, but recorded only one field goal over the next 9 1/2 minutes as the Coyotes pulled ahead 58-46.
Bell’s dunk tied the game at 66 with 2:10 remaining, and his putback with 40 seconds left gave Pepperdine a 70-69 advantage. He then hit two free throws with 19.8 seconds to go.
On the Coyotes’ final possession, Aaron Hill made one of two free throws with 12.1 seconds left. San Bernardino got the rebound, but Lawrence Tyson missed a jumper at the buzzer.
Cal State San Bernardino was led by Bryan LeDuc’s 17 points.
