Loyola Wins Opener for Westhead : Smith Scores 29 Points as Azusa Pacific Is Routed, 92-72

Paul Westhead successfully returned to college basketball Saturday as Loyola Marymount University defeated Azusa Pacific, 92-72.

All-American guard candidate Keith Smith helped make Westhead’s coaching opener enjoyable, scoring 29 points and adding 11 assists.

Senior forward Fred Bradford added 17 rebounds, the most at Loyola in five years. Freshman guard Enoch Simmons chipped in with 20 points. Junior center Darryl Carter had career highs in scoring (13) and rebounds (11).

Loyola needed all the big numbers because only seven players were healthy and three probable starters were on the bench.

“It’s a terrific omen,” said Westhead, “especially with the host of injuries we now have. We came in very lean tonight. Some extra effort on our part gave us the win.”

Azusa (1-1) led most of the first half, though a late scoring run gave Loyola a 45-42 halftime lead as Smith scored 19.

Following Westhead’s first collegiate technical foul since he left LaSalle in 1979, Azusa Pacific closed to within four points, 62-58, midway through the second half. But Smith and Simmons outscored the Cougars, 14-4, and the Lions pulled away.

“Keith Smith kind of kept us together,” Westhead said. “He had a nice balance of taking care of his scoring opportunities and still making passes. He’s got to be difficult for a defense to read.”

Guard Darnell Fletcher led Azusa Pacific with 25 points.