Box Score | UCD Presser 
MALIBU, Calif. -- UC Davis dropped a 71-68 road decision to Pepperdine in the first round of the Women’s National Invitational Tournament (WNIT) at Firestone Fieldhouse.

UC Davis concludes its season with a 23-11 overall record. Pepperdine improves to 20-12 overall and moves onto the second round to host Southern Utah.

The Waves took the victory on a buzzer-beater in a back-and-forth game that featured 15 lead changes and seven ties.

The Aggies had a 21-19 lead after the first 10 minutes with Nya Epps scoring eight points, including two made 3-pointers. The Waves responded in the second quarter with a 20-15 scoring advantage for a 39-36 lead at halftime.

UC Davis took back the lead after the third quarter, 54-52. Pepperdine went on a run in the final period and took an eight point lead with less than two minutes remaining.

The Aggies answered back with three free throws and a 3-pointer from Avery Sussex and a layup from Ryann Bennett with six seconds remaining to tie the game, 68-68. However, Pepperdine’s Taija Sta. Maria hit a 3-pointer with time expiring to win the game.

Bennett led the Aggies with 21 points and four assists. Sussex and Epps pitched in 16 and 15 points, respectively. Megan Norris had seven points, seven rebounds and seven assists.