March 14, 2001

Box Score

By BOB MOEN
Associated Press Writer

LARAMIE, Wyo. - Brandon Armstrong scored 29 points, including eight ofPepperdine's last nine, as the Waves beat Wyoming 72-69 on Wednesday night inthe first round of the National Invitation Tournament.

Pepperdine (22-8) will play the winner of a late game between Baylor and NewMexico in the second round.

Wyoming, which recorded its first 20-win season in a decade, ended itsseason at 20-10.

Armstrong was 7-of-18 from the floor, including three 3-pointers. He was5-of-6 from the line in the final 15 seconds and finished 12-of-13 overall.

Kelvin Gibbs added 15 points and 10 rebounds, and Derrick Anderson had 13points for the Waves. Josh Davis led Wyoming with 17 points, and UcheNsonwu-Amadi added 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Pepperdine, in its sixth postseason NIT, benefited from poor shooting byWyoming, which was 4-of-21 from 3-point attempts.

The Waves led 32-29 at the half behind 12 points from Armstrong.

Wyoming opened the second half with a 17-9 run to take a 46-41 lead at the12:48 mark. Pepperdine answered with an 13-4 run, led by four points each fromArmstrong and Gibbs.

The Cowboys took a 56-55 lead on a basket by Nsonwu-Amadi and ChrisMcMillian's long 3-pointer with 5:06 left, but Gibbs put Pepperdine ahead forgood with back-to-back baskets.

Armstrong's 3-pointer with 22 seconds left put the Waves up 66-61 and hemade five free throws over the remainder of the game to thwart any Wyomingcomeback.