Loyola Marymount Downs Susquehanna

Monday night basketball debuted at Loyola Marymount and was a triumphant, if not totally artistic, production for the Lions, who defeated Susquehanna University, 109-72, before an estimated 500 fans.

The Division III school from Pennsylvania was a more stubborn opponent than expected, and Loyola didn’t so much blow out the Crusaders as wear them down.

The Lions (2-0) led by only 11 points, 50-41, at the half and could only widen the gap to 69-54 with 10:49 to play before pulling away. Freshman guard Jeff Fryer hit two quick three-pointers and senior guard Dennis Vogel scored eight points in the seven minutes it took for Loyola to build a 29-point lead, 96-65.

Junior forward Mike Yoest was again Loyola’s steadiest performer with 28 points and 9 rebounds. His front-court partner, junior Mark Armstrong, added a career-high 20 points and led all rebounders with 13. Five Lions placed in double figures, including Fryer with 18.

Loyola shot 64.7% in the second half and outgunned Susquehanna for the game, 58% to 40%. The Lions also had one of their most successful free-throw shooting games ever, hitting 26 of 28, missing only one each half.

Burly Susquehanna center Bruce Merklinger, the Crusaders’ tallest starter at 6-foot-6, had a team-high 19 points. Susquehanna fell to 1-4.

Loyola, winner of its first two games against undistinguished opponents, now starts the real schedule, playing in the Amana tournament at Iowa this weekend.

“We played in streaks again,” Loyola Coach Paul Westhead said. “We’re still trying to get our game legs for 40 minutes. We better have ‘em by Friday. What the heck, we’re undefeated.”