Loyola Marymount Easily Beats USIU

Coming off a rough trip in Montana and a flight that didn’t get back to town until after midnight, the Loyola Marymount University basketball team needed a break Monday.

It got one in the form of U.S. International University, which fell to Loyola, 84-65, in Gersten Pavilion before a crowd of about 1,000.

After two losses in Montana, Loyola improved its home record to 4-1 and its season mark to 6-7, picking on USIU, which fell to 1-13.

Loyola, starting three freshmen and a sophomore, built a 47-27 lead behind the scoring of guards Steve Haney and Keith Smith. Freshman Haney, who was recruited out of Magic Johnson’s Everett High School at Lansing, Mich., and was playing before the Lakers’ star Monday, scored 18 of his 22 points in the first half on a variety of long jumpers and driving scoops.

Smith, the game’s high scorer with 23 points, had 12 plus seven assists in the first half. He finished with 12 assists.