MALIBU, CA -- UC Davis battled back from a halftime deficit on Wednesday at Pepperdine but came up just short in a 72-67 loss to the Waves in Malibu on Wednesday.

The Aggies (2-1) had three players score in double figures, led by Elijah Pepper, who had 18 points and three steals. Christian Anigwe added 18 points, eight rebounds and two blocks and Ezra Manjon scored 10 with five assists and two steals.

All three scored in double figures for the third straight time this season. 

The Aggies took advantage of a Pepperdine team that came in averaging over 15 turnovers per game and forced 19 of them, nine on steals, and turned those into 22 points.

The Aggies trailed 43-30 at the half Wednesday night but began the second half with renewed energy. 

UC Davis outscored the Waves 19-5 to start the second and used a 10-0 run in that stretch to take a 49-48 lead with 11:14 to go on a layup by Caleb Fuller. After falling behind 52-56, the Aggies used another run, this time a 7-0 stretch keyed by Manjon, Pepper, and Anigwe to lead 59-56 with 5:25 to play. 

Manjon and Pepper each scored inside the final two minutes to keep UC Davis within a basket with Manjon also hitting two free throws with five seconds left that kept the Aggies close. 

UC Davis will go on the road but not far from home when they face Sacramento State on Nov. 23 at the Golden 1 Center in downtown Sacramento.