Pepperdine Routs Bethesda 116-43 in Opener
Pepperdine's Petar Majstorovic and Alex Constanza led the Waves past Bethesda in a lopsided men's basketball win.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Basketball
Pepperdine defeated Bethesda 116-43 in men's basketball on Saturday, November 7, 2026. The Waves led 48-18 at halftime and extended the margin to 79-26 after a 22-2 second-half run.
Why it matters
The lopsided result gives Pepperdine a 2-1 record early in the season and signals offensive depth across its roster. For California fans following the program, the start sets an early tone heading into its next road test.
Pepperdine's 116 points were the program's output in a game where Majstorovic shot 7 of 10 from the field and Constanza added a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Bethesda managed just 43 points, with Taeo Thomas and Aden Jones the only Bethesda players to reach double figures beyond 13 points.
The players
Pepperdine Waves
Pepperdine is a private university in Malibu, California, whose men's basketball program competes in NCAA Division I.
Petar Majstorovic
Majstorovic is a Pepperdine forward who led the Waves in scoring with 18 points in the win.
Alex Constanza
Constanza is a Pepperdine player who recorded 15 points and 10 rebounds in the victory.
The details
Pepperdine dominated from the opening minutes, building a 48-18 halftime advantage before pulling away in the second half. Anthony Robinson and Youri Fritz each scored 14 points, while Taeo Thomas led Bethesda with 14 points and three steals.
Timeline
Saturday, November 7, 2026: Pepperdine beat Bethesda 116-43.
Wednesday: Pepperdine plays Sam Houston on the road.
Season Trajectory
Pepperdine opened 2-1 and used a 22-2 second-half run to turn an early contest into a rout, a pattern that will be measured against its upcoming road game at Sam Houston. Early-season margins of this size give the Waves a measurable starting point for comparison against the rest of their schedule.
Pepperdine's 2-1 start and Majstorovic's 18-point effort give fantasy managers and bettors an early read on the Waves' rotation. The road trip to Sam Houston on Wednesday will show whether the offensive production holds away from Malibu.
The takeaway
Early-season blowouts can reveal roster depth, but the real test comes when opponents are closer in talent. Watch how Pepperdine's rotation performs on the road against Sam Houston.
What happens next
Pepperdine plays Sam Houston on the road on Wednesday, and Bethesda plays Portland on Sunday.
Further reading
Follow more college hoops coverage in the Basketball section for context on early-season results across the state.
