Loyola Faces Reno in Home Opener

Loyola Marymount, which lost its opener last week at Nevada Las Vegas, 102-91, plays that other Nevada school, Nevada Reno, at 7:30 tonight in a home opener that could prove even more entertaining.

The Lions defeated the Wolf Pack last year in Reno, 130-125, when Hank Gathers tied the Loyola scoring record with 49 points. He overpowered Reno’s front line, grabbing 26 rebounds.

This season, Reno Coach Len Stevens believes he has a legitimate center in 6-foot-10 freshman Ric Herrin. Junior guard Kevin Franklin, a former star at Woodland Hills Taft High, scored 33 points against Loyola last season and has been Reno’s scoring leader in preseason exhibitions.