Smith Scores 33 to Lead Loyola Marymount to Win

Loyola Marymount guard Keith Smith scored 33 points, 24 in the second half, to lead the Lions to an 80-71 win over Colorado Thursday at Gersten Pavilion in front of a crowd of 1,086.

Colorado took a 16-7 lead, but Loyola freshman Steve Haney answered with 12 first-half points as Loyola took a 38-31 halftime lead.

Loyola led by nine points early in the second half before Colorado center Randy Downs heated up for 10 of his 21 points in a three-minute stretch to bring the Buffaloes within two, 64-62.

Smith then scored four straight points and Loyola went on a 10-4 spurt and put the game away.

Loyola played without injured center Steve Haderlein, but the Lions’ backcourt picked up the slack, scoring 51 points. Haney finished with 16. The Lions shot 54%, while Colorado shot 40%.

Colorado’s Alex Stivrins had 12 points and 12 rebounds.

The Lions are 7-7. The Buffaloes are 6-7 overall, 0-5 on the road.