Loyola Drops Fourth Straight as St. Mary’s Wins, 71-68

David Carter spent many years in the shadows of John Williams and the other stars at Crenshaw High. But Friday night, in St. Mary’s 71-68 victory at Loyola Marymount, Carter moved into the limelight.

Carter, a sophomore point guard, made two free throws with two seconds left to seal the victory for the Gaels.

Loyola’s fourth loss in a row sank the Lions to 2-6 in the West Coast Athletic Conference, 10-11 overall. St. Mary’s, winner of four straight, is 14-9 and 5-4

Loyola’s strategy down the stretch was to foul St. Mary’s, which has several weak free-throw shooters, but the Gaels foiled that by hitting 13 of 17 second-half free throws. When Robert Haugen missed the first of a one-and-one with five seconds left, Carter ended up with the loose ball, was fouled and hit both foul shots.

The game was tied at 58-58 with 4:30 left, but St. Mary’s built a 64-58 lead on free throws by Sly Hunter and Dan Curry, both of whom normally shoot less than 61% from the line.

Loyola got a three-pointer from Chris Nikchevich and a short jumper from Mark Armstrong, but Hunter answered with three more free throws for a 67-63 lead.

Loyola’s Mike Yoest scored with 44 seconds left, and Enoch Simmons made a steal to set up the potential tie, but Nikchevich was called for a charge and Curry hit two more free throws.

Simmons hit a three-pointer to cut the lead to 69-68 at the nine-second mark. Haugen was fouled with six seconds left, but the ball bounced long in the fight for the rebound, and Carter came up with it.

Nikchevich, who hit four of seven three-point shots, led the Lions with 16 points. Simmons had 15 points, and Yoest had 11.