Abilene Christian Tops Pepperdine in Close Contest
Tuesday, December 2, 2025, 9:00 PM ET · Firestone Fieldhouse
Abilene Christian Wildcats 71, Pepperdine Waves 63, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Abilene Christian Wildcats vs Pepperdine Waves?
Abilene Christian Wildcats beat Pepperdine Waves 71-63 at Firestone Fieldhouse on December 2, 2025.
Who was favored in Abilene Christian Wildcats vs Pepperdine Waves?
Abilene Christian Wildcats were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -118 (about 54% implied). The favorite won.
In a tightly contested matchup, the Abilene Christian Wildcats defeated the Pepperdine Waves 71-63 at Firestone Fieldhouse. This game marked a continuation of the Waves' struggles, as they fell to a 3-7 record in their last ten games, while the Wildcats improved to 6-3 in their recent outings.
The Waves have been struggling with consistency, having lost their last game and now holding a home record of 2-3 this season. Their recent form shows an average of 78.2 points scored per game, but they have allowed an average of 85.7 points, indicating significant defensive challenges. In their last five games, they managed to score an average of 80.8 points while allowing 82.6 points, further highlighting their difficulties on the defensive end.
Conversely, the Wildcats have shown a mixed performance, with a record of 4-6 in their last ten games. They have struggled on the road, holding an away record of 0-5, but their overall scoring average is 70.0 points per game with an average of 73.8 points allowed. In their last five games, they scored an average of 66.0 points while allowing 76.6 points, which reflects their own challenges, particularly in away contests.
Historically, the Waves faced the Wildcats earlier in the season, where they lost 63-71 in a previous meeting on December 3, 2025. This loss adds to the Waves' ongoing difficulties against the Wildcats, who now hold a 1-0 advantage in their head-to-head record.
In terms of injuries, the block does not provide specific details on player availability, making it difficult to assess how injuries may have impacted the game. However, both teams have faced challenges in recent games, which could have influenced their performances.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had the Wildcats favored by 1.5 points, with a total set at 137.5. The moneyline odds were -102.0 for the Waves and -118.0 for the Wildcats, indicating a slight edge for Abilene Christian.
Conditions in the Firestone Fieldhouse were typical for a basketball game, with no specific weather or environmental factors reported that would have affected play.
In the final moments of the game, the scoring plays highlighted the Wildcats' ability to maintain their lead. Aaron Clark and Yonatan Levy contributed crucial free throws, while Javon Cooley and Styles Phipps made key baskets for the Waves, but it was not enough to close the gap. The Wildcats managed to secure their victory through effective free-throw shooting, particularly in the second half.
Overall, the game showcased the Wildcats' ability to capitalize on their opportunities while exposing the Waves' defensive vulnerabilities. As the season progresses, both teams will need to address their weaknesses to improve their standings.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | ACU -1.5 | 137.5 o -112 / u -108 | Abilene Christian Wildcats -118 · Pepperdine Waves -102 |
Leaders
- PointsStyles Phipps19Pepperdine Waves
- AssistsAaron Clark5Pepperdine Waves
- ReboundsAaron Clark5Pepperdine Waves
- PointsBradyn Hubbard15Abilene Christian Wildcats
- AssistsRich Smith6Abilene Christian Wildcats
- ReboundsMa'Shy Hill5Abilene Christian Wildcats
Recent form
Pepperdine Waves
Last 10: 3-7Streak L178.2 scored · 85.7 allowed per game2-3 at home
- L68-77at Portland PilotsMar 6
- W88-79vs Washington State CougarsMar 1
- L80-87vs Seattle U RedhawksFeb 26
- L73-83at Oregon State BeaversFeb 22
- W95-87at Portland PilotsFeb 19
- W90-89vs Loyola Marymount LionsFeb 14
- L60-88at Saint Mary's GaelsFeb 12
- L59-92vs Pacific TigersFeb 8
- L81-83at Seattle U RedhawksFeb 5
- L88-92vs San Diego TorerosJan 29
Abilene Christian Wildcats
Last 10: 4-6Streak L170 scored · 73.8 allowed per game0-5 away
- L74-80at Utah Tech TrailblazersMar 13
- W84-78vs Tarleton State TexansMar 12
- L57-64vs UT Arlington MavericksMar 8
- L48-87at California Baptist LancersMar 6
- L67-74at Utah Valley WolverinesFeb 28
- L81-85at Utah Tech TrailblazersFeb 27
- W87-83vs Southern Utah ThunderbirdsFeb 21
- L62-65at Tarleton State TexansFeb 17
- W73-59vs Tarleton State TexansFeb 14
- W67-63vs UT Arlington MavericksFeb 13
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utah Valley | 25-9 | - | 14-4 |
| California Baptist | 25-9 | 1 | 13-5 |
| Utah Tech | 19-15 | 2 | 11-7 |
| UT Arlington | 18-14 | 5 | 9-9 |
| Southern Utah | 10-22 | 7 | 6-12 |
| Tarleton State | 14-18 | 9 | 5-13 |
| Abilene Christian | 14-19 | 9 | 5-13 |
| Gonzaga | 31-4 | - | 16-2 |
| Saint Mary's | 27-6 | - | 16-2 |
| Santa Clara | 26-9 | 1 | 15-3 |
| Oregon State | 17-16 | 7 | 9-9 |
| Seattle U | 21-14 | 8 | 8-10 |
| Pacific | 18-15 | 8 | 8-10 |
| San Francisco | 17-16 | 8 | 8-10 |
| Washington State | 12-20 | 9 | 7-11 |
| Loyola Marymount | 15-17 | 10 | 6-12 |
| Portland | 15-19 | 10 | 6-12 |
| San Diego | 12-21 | 11 | 5-13 |
| Pepperdine | 9-23 | 12 | 4-14 |
Box score
| Stat | Abilene Christian Wildcats | Pepperdine Waves |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 23-52 | 19-45 |
| Field goal % | 44 | 42 |
| Three-pointers | 8-22 | 6-17 |
| Three-point % | 36 | 35 |
| Free throws | 17-23 | 19-25 |
| Free throw % | 74 | 76 |
| Rebounds | 29 | 27 |
| Offensive rebounds | 9 | 6 |
| Defensive rebounds | 20 | 21 |
| Assists | 17 | 13 |
| Steals | 8 | 2 |
| Blocks | 6 | 1 |
| Turnovers | 8 | 11 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 12 | 8 |
| Fast-break points | 9 | 5 |
| Points in the paint | 26 | 24 |
| Fouls | 23 | 14 |
| Largest lead | 21 | 2 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half41-32Styles Phipps made Layup.
- 2nd Half44-32Bradyn Hubbard made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Rich Smith.
- 2nd Half44-33Styles Phipps made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half44-34Styles Phipps made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half47-34Yaniel Rivera made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Cade Hornecker.
- 2nd Half48-34Zy Wright made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half49-34Zy Wright made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half51-34Ma'Shy Hill made Jumper. Assisted by Rich Smith.
- 2nd Half51-37Styles Phipps made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Aaron Clark.
- 2nd Half51-39Styles Phipps made Layup. Assisted by Aaron Clark.
- 2nd Half53-39Bradyn Hubbard made Jumper. Assisted by Cbo Newton.
- 2nd Half54-39Joseph Scott made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half54-42Danilo Dožic made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Styles Phipps.
- 2nd Half56-42Bradyn Hubbard made Jumper.
- 2nd Half58-42Bradyn Hubbard made Layup. Assisted by Rich Smith.
- 2nd Half59-42Bradyn Hubbard made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half59-45Luka Vudragovic made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Aaron Clark.
- 2nd Half60-45Rich Smith made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half61-45Rich Smith made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half63-45Joseph Venzant made Jumper. Assisted by Cade Hornecker.
- 2nd Half63-46Danilo Dožic made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half63-47Danilo Dožic made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half64-47Rich Smith made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half65-47Rich Smith made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half68-47Yaniel Rivera made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Cade Hornecker.
- 2nd Half68-49Luka Vudragovic made Layup. Assisted by Yonatan Levy.
- 2nd Half68-51Aaron Clark made Layup.
- 2nd Half68-53Danilo Dožic made Layup. Assisted by Aaron Clark.
- 2nd Half69-53Bradyn Hubbard made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half69-54Aaron Clark made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half69-55Aaron Clark made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half69-56Aaron Clark made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half69-57Aaron Clark made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half69-58Yonatan Levy made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half69-59Yonatan Levy made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half69-60Javon Cooley made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half69-61Javon Cooley made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half69-63Styles Phipps made Layup.
- 2nd Half70-63Yaniel Rivera made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half71-63Yaniel Rivera made Free Throw.
Win probability
Above the line favours Pepperdine Waves, below favours Abilene Christian Wildcats.
Venue
- Firestone FieldhouseMalibu, CA
- Attendance511
- OfficialsDarron George, Kirk Smith, Tommy Johnson
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