Smith Lifts Loyola Marymount to Victory Over Azusa Pacific

Loyola Marymount University used Keith Smith’s 19 points in the second half to pull away from Azusa Pacific for a 73-59 victory Saturday night at Gersten Pavilion.

The victory improved the Lions to 8-7, the first time since 1977-78 that they have gone into conference play with a winning record.

Smith finished with 33 points to raise his average to 25.1. Freshman Steve Haney, with 11 points, was the only other Lion in double figures as 11 Loyola Marymount players scored.

Freshman center Bill DesRochers scored a career-high 20 points for Azusa Pacific, an NAIA school with a 4-18 record. Guard Rick Johnsen added 12 points. DesRochers and Loyola’s Fred Bradford each had a game-high eight rebounds.

Azusa Pacific trailed, 35-28, at the end of the first half as DesRochers scored 14 points. But Smith came out shooting in the second half as Loyola built an 18-point lead with 2:50 remaining.

Loyola opens West Coast Athletic Conference play Thursday at home against Pepperdine.