Second half Pepperdine rally downs Pilots at WCC Tournament

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Portland led by 14 points in the second half before a late Pepperdine rally finished the Pilots season in the second round of the Credit Union 1 WCC Basketball Championships. Pepperdine pulled out an 86-73 victory and will advance to face the No. 5 seed Oregon State Beavers on Saturday at 6 p.m. in a third round meeting.

Vukasin Masic led the Pilots (12-20) with 26 points, including a career-best seven three-pointers made. Austin Rapp added 16 points and seven rebounds, while Max Mackinnon chipped in 16 points as well.

The Pilots raced out to a 38-29 halftime lead and were up 54-40 with 12 minutes left in regulation, but the Waves rode a huge performance from junior guard…