Once up by 18 in the second half, Miami struggled against a Pepperine zone and eventually fell to the Waves 86-80.
The RedHawks hit 5-of-19 (26.3%) second half threes Sunday, while the Waves made 7-of-16 (43.8%). Miami also struggled from the field in a narrow loss to Montana the previous night.
Sibande started the second half with a layup before Brown reached double digits with a three-pointer to give the Red and White an 18-point lead, its largest of the day. Miami led by a 51-33 margin.
With 15:37 remaining in the game, the RedHawks led 60-44. Nike Sibande reached double digits with a shot from behind the arc. Delonte Brown then drilled three free throws to increase Miami’s lead to 15 points once again (65-50)
Pepperdine, however, put together an 11-0 run midway through the half before Sibande broke Miami’s scoring drought with a three-pointer.
The Waves, however, continued to chip erode their deficit, scoring the next five points to cut the RedHawks’ lead to just five points, 68-63.
Miami clung to a small 73-69 lead as the teams traded chances before Pepperdine took a 74-73 lead with four minutes to play. Ringo evened the game again at 76 with a shot from behind the arc with 2:40 remaining.
The RedHawks took an 80-78 lead before the Waves went on an 8-0 run in the last 1:44 to win the game by an 86-80 margin.
Sibande led four RedHawks in double figures with 17 points. Brown, who matched Sibande's team-high seven rebounds, was contributed 16 points, while Mekhi Lairy (15) and Darrian Ringo (13) combined for 28 points.
Colbey Ross had a big night for Pepperdine, dropping in 25 points with the help of an 11-for-11 performance at the free throw line. Pepperdine knocked down 18-of-24 free throws overall, while MU was 13-of-17 at the stripe. Darnell connected for 18 points, followed by Dric Cooper Jr. (17) and Kessler Edwards (14).
NOTES:
-- Miami hosts Army on Saturday, Nov. 24 at 2 p.m.
-- Miami scored 24 points off the bench and 26 points in the paint, playing with the lead for over 33 minutes of play.