Loyola Wastes a Big Lead, Then Barely Escapes, 80-77

First-year Coach John Olive said he was looking for Loyola Marymount to take another step Tuesday night in its season opener against College of Notre Dame.

Instead, the Lions nearly stumbled before holding on for an 80-77 nonconference victory at Gersten Pavilion.

Playing against a Division II team that was 6-21 last season and whose tallest player is 6 foot 5, Loyola squandered a 17-point lead during the second half and committed 24 turnovers. The game was expected to be a tuneup for Loyola’s meeting with 23rd-ranked Nevada Las Vegas on Saturday at Gersten Pavilion, but College of Notre Dame (1-2) used a full-court press to force several turnovers and rally from a 50-33 deficit early in the second half.

The Argonauts pulled within three points on three occasions in the last four minutes before Loyola opened a 78-70 lead with 1 minute 45 seconds left on a layup by guard Rahim Harris.

But with the help of a five-second call against Loyola, College of Notre Dame scored five consecutive points and pulled within 79-77 with six seconds left on a short jumper by forward Blake Spiering.

Loyola forward Zan Mason was fouled on the inbound pass and made one of two free throws with two seconds left for the final score.