MALIBU, Calif. (Interstat) — The Vermont Catamounts and Pepperdine Waves, both seeking momentum before conference play begins, will meet in a nonconference men’s basketball game Saturday at Firestone Fieldhouse. Vermont (5-5) arrives on the West Coast after an 80-58 road loss at Oregon State on Wednesday. Gus Yalden led the Catamounts with 16 points in that defeat. The team has alternated wins and losses over its past five games. Pepperdine (3-6) looks to halt a three-game skid, most recently a 71-63 home loss to Abilene Christian on Tuesday. Freshman guard Styles Phipps paced the Waves with 19 points and four assists in the contest. Pepperdine is 2-2 at home this season. The Catamounts have relied on a balanced attack, with Yalden and Ben Johnson providing consistent scoring. Pepperdine’s backcourt of Phipps and Aaron Clark, who had 11 points and five assists Tuesday, will be a focal point. The game marks the first meeting between the programs. It is Vermont’s final nonconference road game before a three-game homestand. For Pepperdine, it is the last of four straight home games before a road trip. Tipoff is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.