Gonzaga-Pepperdine key matchup: Top point guards Josh Perkins, Colbey Ross square off

Running a distant second behind Gonzaga’s domination of West Coast Conference headlines is the conference’s collection of first-rate point guards.

Gonzaga fifth-year senior Josh Perkins and Pepperdine sophomore Colbey Ross, two of the WCC’s best, collide Thursday night at the McCarthey Athletic Center.

Ross continues to stamp his name on the Waves’ single-season and career record lists. He’s averaging 18.8 points and 7.3 assists, which ranks fifth nationally and is on pace to shatter the school’s single-season record

The 6-foot-1 Ross has made 187 free throws and attempted 220, both in the top three nationally. His shooting numbers don’t necessarily jump off the page (42.8 percent from the field, 36.1 on 3-pointers), but he rarely misses at the free-throw line (85.0 percent).

Ross played well in his only previous trip to the McCarthey Athletic Center, finishing with 21 points, six assists and just one turnover in 37 minutes in an 81-67 loss last season.

Perkins probably will defend Ross, with Geno Crandall another option coming off the bench.