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Loyola’s Gathers Facing More Tests : Basketball: Doctors cannot find a cause for player’s fainting.

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TIMES STAFF WRITER

Basketball star Hank Gathers of Loyola Marymount has registered normal on all medical tests that have been administered early this week, but did not practice Tuesday, pending further tests today.

Doctors still have not determined a reason for Gathers’ fainting during Saturday’s game against UC Santa Barbara. With about 14 minutes left, Gathers, who had played 23 minutes, stepped up to shoot a free throw, then slumped to the floor. He was unconscious for a second or two but then sat up and was responsive. He was taken to nearby Centinela Hospital Medical Center.

After a series of tests, including an electrocardiogram and treadmill, Gathers was released from the hospital on Monday and watched practice, where he was in good spirits and appeared to be in good shape.

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He joked Monday that he was going so strongly on the treadmill that he nearly broke it, adding, “I’m still the strongest man in America.”

On Tuesday, however, Gathers again didn’t feel well and stayed home.

“All the tests so far are normal but (doctors) are trying to be extra sure, to cover every base,” Loyola Coach Paul Westhead said Tuesday.

Gathers has no history of blackouts.

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