Lions Are Beaten, 81-77, by the Dons in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO — Guard Keith Jackson scored four points for the University of San Francisco in the final minute of play as the Dons defeated Loyola Marymount, 81-77, in a West Coast Athletic Conference basketball game Saturday night.

The Dons, who finished 2-12 in the WCAC last season, are off to a 2-0 start and are 12-3 overall. Loyola dropped to 1-1 and 8-6.

Jackson made a corner jump shot with 56 seconds remaining to give the Dons a 78-75 lead. He also sank two free throws with 32 seconds left.

Loyola took a 75-74 lead on Mike Yoest’s basket with 3:24 remaining but did not score again until Jeff Fryer connected at the buzzer. USF went ahead to stay, 76-75, on two free throws by Ken Ramirez with 2:47 left.

The top scorers for USF were Mark McCathrion and Jackson, with 18 and 17 points, respectively. The Lions were led by center Victor Lazzaretti, who scored 16 of his 20 points in the first half, and guard Chris Nikchevich, whose 16 points included three 3-point shots in the second half.