Loyola Gets First Shot as St. Mary’s Hits Town Tonight

The attraction of opposites is at the core of tonight’s West Coast Athletic Conference basketball game at Gersten Pavilion when potent Loyola Marymount plays stingy St. Mary’s at 7:30.

Loyola, St. Mary’s and Pepperdine are tied for the WCAC lead at 5-1. The Gaels play at Pepperdine Saturday night.

St. Mary’s (17-2) has the nation’s second-ranked defense, allowing only 54.7 points a game and holding opponents to 39% shooting.

Loyola (12-7) leads the nation in scoring at 113.5 points per game and has not been held below 79 this season. St. Mary’s hasn’t allowed any opponent to score 70.