Loyola Is Beaten at Its Own Game, 94-89

The University of San Francisco came into Gersten Pavilion on Saturday night intent on playing the up-tempo style favored by its opponent, Loyola Marymount.

Unfortunately for Loyola, the Dons’ imitation proved a little too good.

San Francisco beat the Lions at their own game, running and gunning its way to a 94-89 West Coast Conference victory before 2,468. It was the Dons’ first victory at Loyola since 1981-82 season.

“They can play at that pace, up and down,” Loyola Coach Jay Hillock said. “They hurt us with their press. You have to give them a lot of credit. . . . They seem to have our number.”

Hillock was referring to Loyola’s upset loss to San Francisco during the first round of the conference tournament last season. Saturday night’s result left both teams with 1-4 conference records.

“We had some frustration and we overcame that tonight,” said San Francisco Coach Jim Brovelli, whose team improved to 9-9 overall.

“Certainly we’re discouraged,” Hillock said of Loyola (8-9). “We’re just going to have to work through it.”

Guard Terrell Lowery led Loyola with 26 points but made only six of 15 shots. Forward Tim Owens had 26 points for San Francisco.