MALIBU, Calif. (AP) -- Yakhouba Diawara scored 21 points and Alex Acker and Jesse Pinegar added 13 apiece as Pepperdine won its sixth consecutive game 84-65 over Azusa Pacific Saturday.
At 6-1, Pepperdine is off to its best start since the 1985-86 campaign, when it began 7-1.
Azusa Pacific (5-2), a longtime NAIA power playing a Division I school for the first time since 1999, stayed within striking distance, trailing 37-30 at the break and getting within five on three occasions early in the second half, the last a 47-42 deficit with 15:05 left.
But Marvin Lea and Acker then hit 3-pointers on consecutive possessions to spark a 12-1 run that opened up a 61-45 lead with 11 minutes left.
Pepperdine led by at least 13 for the rest of the game.
The Waves' current winning streak is their longest since 2001-02, when they won 13 straight
Lance Soderberg led Azusa Pacific with 15 points and seven rebounds before fouling out late in the game.
Spencer Foster, Brice Prather and Josh Dillon each added 10 points for the Cougars.
