Loyola Marymount Routs UC Irvine : Lions’ Running Game Leaves Anteaters Winded, 122-100

Loyola Marymount University, gearing up for a game against UCLA Friday night, defeated UC Irvine, 122-100, Wednesday night before a crowd of 1,293 at Loyola.

The Lions (6-2) broke the three-year-old school record of 111 points, set against Concordia of Nebraska, by shooting 62% for the game and 72.5% in the first half, when they took a 62-46 lead.

It was the first time since 1982 that Loyola was involved in a game in which both teams scored in triple figures.

Guard Keith Smith led Loyola with 34 points and 7 assists, hitting 15 of 21 shots. Forward Forrest McKenzie, who scored 20 points in the first half, finished with 28. Sophomore forward Mark Armstrong hit all six shots and scored 14 points, and sophomore forward Mike Yoest hit all five of his shots and scored 16 points.

Seniors Tod Murphy, with 30 points, and Johnny Rogers, with 24, led Irvine in scoring, but the Anteaters (3-3) were really out of the game after the first 12 minutes, when Loyola built a 13-point lead and pulled steadily away. The lead reached 30 at 97-67, and Loyola reached 100 with 7:08 left.

Lion Coach Paul Westhead was pleased with his team’s play after its 20-point loss to Cal State Fullerton on Saturday. “It’s always good to show what you can do after a bad game,” he said.

“We’re a running team that has not been able to get it in gear. You saw some of it tonight.”

The Lions hit 29 of 40 shots in the first half and 50 of 81 overall. The 50 field goals tied a school record. Smith and McKenzie each sank 9 of 12 shots in the first half.

“I was wondering after the Fullerton game how much we had improved,” Westhead said. “I’m not sure yet. . . . It’s nice when you shoot 72%. You don’t have to worry about how good you are.”

Irvine Coach Bill Mulligan said he “made a lot of changes because of those two guys, instead of trying to play them straight up. It’s my fault for trying to be the big strategist.”

Westhead said the Lions will run with UCLA. “They’re a very quick team that likes to run, like us. There might be another school record. We don’t know (by) which team.”