Loyola Prepares for Tough Trip With 119-112 Victory Over AIA

Loyola Marymount had seven players in double figures as the Lions beat Athletes In Action, 119-112, in an exhibition Saturday at Gersten Pavilion.

The victory doesn’t count in the records, but it gave the Lions, who were coming off a 51-point loss at UCLA, a positive sendoff as they prepare to play their next three game against top 20 teams on the road.

The Lions pulled away from a 61-61 halftime tie to build a five-point lead early in the second half. But Athletes In Action, with Lorenzo Romar hitting four three-point shots, came back to build leads that reached 90-80.

The Lions finally caught up at 99-99, and took the lead for good, 109-107, on Craig Holt’s corner jumper with 1:57 to play.

Loyola Coach Jay Hillock, walking past the press table at that point, said: “There’s not gonna be an easy one all year. Write it down.”

Terrell Lowery added two of his team-high 21 points on free throws, then Holt hit a three-point shot to put the game away with one minute left. Holt scored 18, Chris Knight added 17 and Brian McCloskey 15. Romar had 29 points to lead all scorers.

The Lions had three players on the bench with injuries, but expect to be near full strength next Saturday when they play Oklahoma. Loyola doesn’t play an official home game until Dec 29.