LOS ANGELES (Interstat) — A pivotal West Coast Conference women’s basketball matchup with postseason implications is set for Thursday when the Pepperdine Waves visit the Loyola Marymount Lions at Gersten Pavilion. Both teams enter with identical 15-win records, though Loyola Marymount (15-8) holds a slight edge in winning percentage over Pepperdine (15-9). The contest is a rematch of a Jan. 8 overtime thriller, which the Lions won 83-78 in Malibu. Pepperdine arrives riding a three-game winning streak, most recently a 78-62 victory over Washington State on Feb. 7. The Waves are powered by forward Shorna Preston, who is coming off a dominant 13-point, 11-rebound double-double in that win. Over her last eight games, Preston has averaged 7.6 points and 5.4 rebounds, providing consistent interior presence. The Lions counter with their own standout, guard Maya Hernandez. She scored 15 points in LMU’s last outing, a 75-69 road win at Saint Mary’s on Feb. 5. Hernandez has been a consistent scorer, reaching double figures in five of her last seven contests, including a 20-point performance against Portland on Jan. 22. The game features two of the conference’s hotter teams. Pepperdine has won five of its last seven, while Loyola Marymount has secured victories in six of its last eight. The result will likely impact seeding for the upcoming WCC tournament, with both squads jockeying for position in the upper half of the standings. Defensive intensity will be key. Pepperdine’s recent surge has been fueled by holding opponents to an average of 67 points during its three-game streak. Loyola Marymount’s defense has been equally stout, limiting foes to 40 and 66 points in convincing wins over Seattle and Pacific, respectively, late last month. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. PST. Pepperdine continues its road trip at San Francisco on Saturday. Loyola Marymount remains home to host Gonzaga on Saturday.