Pepperdine waves roll over CSULB water polo

A struggling Cal State Long Beach water polo team was doused by the Pepperdine Waves, 22-11, Friday night at the Belmont Plaza pool.

The 49ers (1-6), who have been riddled with injuries to five key players, were never really in the game. Pepperdine (4-3) jumped the 49ers ear ly with four quick two-pointers to lead 8-0 midway through the first quarter. By the end of the first quarter, the Waves led 11-0.

CSULB controlled the opening drop and Greg Finley eventually fired the first shot for the 49ers. Finley's shot hit th e goal post and that set the tone for the 49ers, who hit the post eight more times in the game.

Turnovers and missed scoring opportunities hurt the 49ers all night. "With our particular team, missed shots hurt us quite a bit, because we've got a lo t of young people and they want everything to go right," said 49ers coach Ken Lindgren.

After giving up a two-point shot to Waves sophomore Jack Kocur, who led Pepperdine with seven points, the 49ers got on the board in the second quarter.

Da ve Spence got the ball after teammate Tim Ault's shot was blocked and scored into the lower left corner for the 49ers' first two points.

After giving up a one-point goal, the 49ers got another two-pointer from deep outside by Joaquin Felsman.

Late in the half, the 49ers gave up the ball on a bad pass, and Waves junior Larry Felix took the loose ball the length of the pool, stopped and lobbed the shot over the outstretched hand of goalie Adam Lee to give Pepperdine a 15-4 halftime lead. The 49ers had two shots blocked before the half.

The 49ers were led in scoring by Spence with four points. Lindgren said the team's youth and inexperience makes it tough for them to come from behind.

"When they (Pepperdine) get on top early, they'r e very, very tough; it feeds them and they get going," Lindgren said.