Loyola Runs Marist Ragged in Scoring 131-107 Victory

Loyola Marymount, enjoying its first home game in 3 weeks Wednesday night, had its best offensive performance since the season opener, defeating Marist College, 131-107, at Gersten Pavilion.

The Lions (3-4), who scored 164 points against Azusa Pacific in their first game, started quickly against Marist of Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

They outscored the Red Foxes, 12-4, from 3-point range, out-rebounded them, 65-50, and had 35 assists in building a 70-54 halftime lead. Marist (3-4) never got closer than the 16-point halftime deficit.

Loyola wasn’t slowed in the second half, either.

Hank Gathers’ jump shot gave Loyola an 84-60 lead with 17 minutes left. Loyola reached 101 points with 8:20 left as John Veargason’s rebounded shot made it 101-77.

Eleven Loyola players scored, led by Gathers with 39 points and 13 rebounds. Jeff Fryer scored 28 points and Enoch Simmons had 20 points and 10 assists. Veargason had 9 points and 13 rebounds off the bench and freshman guard Terrell Lowery added 13 points and 6 assists.

Forward John Kijonek scored 36 points for Marist, making 17 of 24 shots. He also had 14 rebounds. Center Miroslav Pecarski added 25 points and 12 rebounds.

Loyola had 30 turnovers, Marist 24.

“We really had our offense going,” Coach Paul Westhead said. “I think they couldn’t quite keep up. We played with some good energy. We will diminish our mistakes as we go along.”

Loyola took a 22-6 lead behind 6 three-pointers by Fryer and Simmons.

But Marist began penetrating the Lions’ press and edged to within two, 32-30, on a series of driving layups by Kijonek, who had 24 first-half points.

Gathers rallied Loyola with a strong inside game, and the Lions regained control, building its 16-point halftime lead. Fryer and Simmons had 18 apiece and Gathers 17 by halftime.