Pepperdine Plays Host to Texas Arlington Tonight

Pepperdine’s basketball team, coming off probably its best performance of the season, will complete its nonconference schedule when it plays Texas Arlington at 7:30 tonight at Firestone Fieldhouse in Malibu.

Last Monday, the Waves ran well, played good defense and shot 58.5% in improving their record to 7-5 with a 99-90 home victory over Marshall of West Virginia.

Tom Lewis, who scored a career-high 35 points, leads Pepperdine with a 23.2-point average and teammate Levy Middlebrooks, among the nation’s leaders in rebounding, is averaging 11.2 rebounds and 17.3 points.

Texas Arlington (2-6) has lost five straight, most recently to the University of San Diego Tuesday night, 81-64.

Pepperdine may get a lift tonight with the return of forward-center Mike Cumberland, who was ineligible during the fall term. Cumberland, a part-time starter last year, is expected to give Coach Jim Harrick some needed bench strength.