The Lafayette Leopards and the Pepperdine Waves meet Sunday in college basketball action from Firestone Fieldhouse. Lafayette is sitting at 0-2 so far and coming off a loss to UCLA in game two. As for Pepperdine, they’re 1-1 on the year. The Waves lost a close one to UC Davis on Thursday. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.

Lafayette Leopards 

The Leopards kicked off their season on Monday versus Saint Joseph’s. Lafayette didn’t play too badly in the first half with 35 points, but were outscored 43-25 from there in an 81-60 loss. The Leopards’ Devin Hines was the only player in double-figures with 15 points and five rebounds. 

In game two versus UCLA, Lafayette had another rough second half. The Leopards were up 33-30 at the break, but were able to score only 17 points afterward in a 68-50 defeat. Eric Sondberg led the team this time with 11 points and three rebounds. Kyle Jenkins posted 10 points with nine rebounds as well. 

Pepperdine Waves 

Over on the Waves’ side, they had a little trouble with Concordia in their opener on Monday. Pepperdine was down 30-25 by halftime but woke up with 51 second-half points in a 76-64 comeback win. Houston Mallette managed 26 points with three rebounds to lead the way. Malik Moore put up 16 points with five boards as well. 

Pepperdine wasn’t able to get a winning streak going in game two. The Waves had a sizable 48-31 edge on UC Davis in the first half, but then faded in a 48-30 second-half run for a 79-78 loss. Michael Ajayi was able to double up in the losing effort with 18 points and 14 rebounds. Both Moore and Mallette added 15 points each. 

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll probably go with Pepperdine here. You could make a case either way and I’m not too keen on the Waves just yet though, so I’m staying away. In any case, Pepperdine fell apart in the second half of their last game versus UC Davis, ultimately finishing with 19 turnovers and a sketchy 4-of-14 (28.6 percent) from 3-point range. The good news is that the Waves shot well overall (56 percent) and out-rebounded UC Davis 32-22. 

As for Lafayette, they get credit for hanging around with UCLA in their last game but didn’t really shoot well (32.7 percent). I think Pepperdine can rise to the occasion in this one and cover, however I wouldn’t be surprised to see Lafayette close the whole way either.