It’s Sloppy, but Loyola Wins Again

Loyola Marymount made 13 three-point baskets and beat the University of San Francisco for the second time in six days, 88-83, Friday night before 2,187 at Gersten Pavilion.

With the victory, in which each team committed 28 turnovers, the Lions improved to 8-13 overall and 2-5 in the West Coast Conference. USF is 10-11 and 3-4.

Terrell Lowery led the Lions with 19 points. Ross Richardson added 18 and Craig Holt 15, all on three-point baskets.

“I’m happy because we really struggled, but won,” Lion Coach Jay Hillock said. “I was really frustrated at the end of the first half from the turnovers, but one of my assistants said to cheer up, we had our second-half letdown in the first half.”

The Lions pulled away to a 37-22 lead midway through a ragged first half. But with neither team scoring a basket in the final 3:30, USF began to work the shot clock and trimmed Loyola’s halftime lead to 44-39. The Dons had 19 turnovers in the half, while Loyola nearly matched them with 18, helping offset 56% shooting.

Loyola maintained a double-figure lead until the final three minutes, when the Dons scored seven points in a row during a 14-2 run to trim the Lions’ lead to 86-83 with 1:15 to play. Lowery’s free throws with 30 seconds left finally sealed the victory.