Loyola Gets Rolling With Win Over Reno

Loyola Marymount got its home basketball season off and running Saturday with a 145-102 victory over Nevada Reno.

After losing last week at Nevada Las Vegas, the Lions evened their record at 1-1 before a crowd of 3,663 at Gersten Pavilion. All 12 players scored, six of them in double figures.

Bo Kimble led with 31 points. Hank Gathers added 28 points and 17 rebounds, and Jeff Fryer had 26 points. Kimble and Per Stumer had 10 rebounds each.

The Wolf Pack lacked bite in their season opener, with the exception of junior guard Kevin Franklin. The former Woodland Hills Taft High star scored a career-high 48 points, including eight three-pointers.

“It was a fast-paced game, which we thrive on,” Loyola Coach Paul Westhead said. “Our press kind of helped create the pace. Even though we got 145 points, we’ll get sharper. I’m sure the fact this is our second game is an important adjustment. Openers are always tough. My empathy goes out to Reno.”

Loyola dominated nearly every aspect of the game, leading by as many as 28 points in the first half and 45 in the second.

Loyola’s press forced 32 turnovers and the Lions controlled the rebounding, 62-31. They shot 58% from the floor with seven three-pointers.

Loyola used a nine-point run to take a 17-6 lead, with Kimble scoring eight and Reno helping the Lion cause with three consecutive turnovers on inbound passes, plus two technical fouls. Reno committed 19 turnovers in the half and was outrebounded, 27-15.

The lead at halftime was 73-51, with Kimble at 20 points and Gathers at 16.

Franklin kept Reno in sight nearly single-handed, with 27 points at the half, including five three-pointers.

Loyola expanded the lead to 36 points and led, 100-64, with 14:15 left on two free throws by Tony Walker, who quickly tacked two more points on the lead by stealing the inbound pass for a layup.

Reno shot 50% for the game but took 28 fewer shots than the Lions.