San Diego rallies past Pepperdine 92-88 in overtime as Diop and Lane deliver late points
Overtime swing lifts Toreros to a key West Coast Conference road result
San Diego earned a 92-88 overtime victory at Pepperdine in Malibu on Wednesday night, Jan. 28, 2026, powered by a high-impact performance from Assane Diop and late shot-making from Toneari Lane. The win moved the Toreros to 10-13 overall and 4-6 in West Coast Conference play, while the Waves fell to 6-17 and 1-9 in the league.
Diop finished with 21 points and 17 rebounds, producing a double-double that stabilized San Diego through stretches when Pepperdine controlled pace and spacing. Lane matched Diop with 21 points and delivered eight in the overtime period, including perimeter scoring that helped separate the teams after regulation ended tied 75-75.
Game flow: Pepperdine led at the break, San Diego answered in the second half
Pepperdine carried a 38-33 lead into halftime, with San Diego leaning heavily on Diop’s interior scoring early. The Toreros won the second half 42-37, forcing extra time after neither side converted late chances to end the game in regulation.
In overtime, free throws and shot selection became decisive. San Diego went 22-for-25 at the line in the game and was 9-for-10 in the extra session, allowing it to protect a narrow lead even as Pepperdine continued to generate quality looks from its lead creators.
Individual leaders and supporting production
Assane Diop (San Diego): 21 points, 17 rebounds; highly efficient shooting and consistent work on the glass.
Toneari Lane (San Diego): 21 points, including 5-of-9 from three-point range; eight points in overtime.
Ty-Laur Johnson (San Diego): 16 points and six assists, balancing scoring with playmaking.
Aaron Clark (Pepperdine): 31 points on 12-of-19 shooting, including five made threes.
Styles Phipps (Pepperdine): 21 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, frequently initiating offense in late-clock situations.
What decided it: possessions, fouls and closing execution
The margin ultimately came down to late-game execution. Pepperdine’s top scorers carried the offensive load, but missed opportunities at the rim and at the free-throw line left the Waves needing stops against a San Diego team that converted consistently at the stripe in overtime.
San Diego’s overtime offense combined Lane’s perimeter shooting with steady free-throw production, enabling the Toreros to finish the road game without giving away the lead.
San Diego next continues its schedule Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, against Oregon State. Pepperdine is set to play at Seattle on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026.