More Records for Loyola, 181-150

Loyola Marymount, which has set nearly every scoring record in the National Collegiate Athletic Assn. in Paul Westhead’s three-plus seasons, made it a sweep Tuesday night with a 181-150 victory over United States International University in Gersten Pavilion.

Before a crowd of 2,661, Loyola set a single-game record for the most points by one team and the most points in a half (94). Loyola had shared the record for the most points in a game (164) with Nevada Las Vegas.

Loyola and USIU also set combined records for the most points in a game (331) and the most points in a half (170). The combined records broke the former marks set when the teams met Jan. 7.

USIU’s 150 points were the most scored by a losing team.

Loyola was led by Hank Gathers’ 41 points and school-record 29 rebounds. It was Gathers’ third game this season of 40 or more points--and his second against USIU.

Tuesday’s game hailed the 1989 debut of Bo Kimble, a 22 point-per-game scorer last season who scored 20 points in 18 minutes in his return from arthroscopic knee surgery.

When Kimble made a jump shot at the halftime buzzer to give Loyola 94 points, he received a standing ovation from teammates and fans, who have been awaiting his return from a Dec. 29 surgery.

Having Kimble back is good timing for the Lions (12-7), who have a Western Collegiate Athletic Conference showdown Friday against St. Mary’s, which has not allowed an opponent to score more than 69 points this season.

“I really felt excited just to be out there in the first half,” Kimble said. “The knee’s been tender the day after practicing. It’ll be interesting to note how it feels (today). I didn’t go very hard on it. I wanted to get a few shots up, get this one under my belt and get ready for Friday.”

Westhead said if Loyola starters played longer the team could have scored “easily in excess of 200, without any bizarre things happening.”

It was possible considering that Kimble and Gathers were outstanding, as well as two other Lions--Jeff Fryer (34 points) and Enoch Simmons (25). Loyola made 13 three-pointers and 34 of 45 free throws.

“We played a very consistent offensive game,” Westhead said. “USIU is a competent team. They can score, they can play, they can run. Bo was a big plus for us. We wanted to give him some minutes before we put him into league play. (Tonight) was ideal for us. He didn’t act like he was injured and he started getting his shots down.”

Gathers, who had 10 offensive rebounds, dominated the rebounding.

“I knew in a wide-open game like this there would be a lot of missed shots,” he said. “In the paint I was actually saying to myself, ‘Miss, miss.’ Fate was on my side. I got a couple.”

The Lions made 67 of 119 shots and USIU (8-14) made 63 of 101. Six Gulls scored in double figures led by Steve Smith with 32, Demetrius Laffitte with 28 and Gary Williams with 25.

USIU Coach Gary Zarecky said, “Coaches like Paul Westhead, Billy Tubbs (Oklahoma) and myself like to let our athletes play. I don’t like losing and I think we can do better but some coaches shackle their kids.”