If There’s a Cure for Toreros, It May Be at Loyola Marymount

If the University of San Diego is going to turn around in the West Coast Athletic Assn. basketball race, the place to start should be Loyola Marymount at 7:30 tonight.

At least if history repeats.

The Toreros have won seven consecutive games against Loyola, and they have never lost at Gersten Pavilion, which became Loyola’s home during the 1981-82 season.

The Lions and Toreros have been struggling in WCAC play. They have 1-4 league records and are tied for fifth place. USD is 12-8 overall and Loyola Marymount is 9-11.

The Toreros have lost two straight WCAC games at home--75-65 to St. Mary’s and 62-56 to Santa Clara. LMU has dropped three straight league games, falling to Santa Clara, St. Mary’s and Gonzaga. USD’s only WCAC victory of the year was against Portland. The same is true of the Lions.

Loyola has three freshmen starters--guard Steve Haney, forwards Mark Armstrong and Mark Yoest.

Loyola’s leader is Keith Smith, whose 24.8-point scoring average ranks eighth in the nation. The 6-foot 3-inch junior from West Covina also averages 6.3 assists a game. He leads the WCAC in scoring and assists.

LMU also relies on 6-7 senior forward Steve Haderlein, who averages 9.2 points and a team-leading 7.9 rebounds per game.

Loyola’s 7-0 reserve center Lawrence Irwin, a former standout at Bonita Vista High School and Southwestern College, has had limited playing time.