Loyola Gets Within Two Before Losing : College basketball: Lions threaten to spoil Massimino’s debut as Nevada Las Vegas coach but Rebels win, 84-80.

Loyola Marymount made things interesting Saturday night against Nevada Las Vegas.

The Lions played the No. 23-ranked Rebels even during the first half, and cut a 14-point second-half deficit to two in the final minute.

In the end, though, UNLV made the necessary plays, including four free throws in the last 28 seconds, to give new Coach Rollie Massimino an 84-80 victory before 3,522 fans at Gersten Pavilion.

First-year Loyola Coach John Olive, whose team frustrated UNLV with a two-three zone defense, called it a “classic college basketball game,” despite the fact that both teams shot below 41% and combined for 40 turnovers.

“Let’s face it, our kids played with a lot of heart,” said Olive, who was the top assistant under Massimino the last seven years at Villanova. “(UNLV) is one of the best teams in the country with one of the best coaches in the world. Our kids have it within them to play with anyone.”

Massimino credited his former protege for playing the same type of hard-nosed defense they specialized in during their years together at Villanova.

Loyola (1-1) threatened to spoil Massimino’s debut with the Rebels, pulling within two points of UNLV twice in the last 34 seconds on baskets by point guard Bill Mazurie.

A layup by Mazurie made the score 82-80 with 20 seconds to play, but UNLV got its lead back to four points on two free throws by guard Ken Gibson with 16 seconds left.

Mazurie, who led Loyola with 19 points, missed a three-point shot in the final seconds. Center Brian McCloskey added 12 points and a game-high 15 rebounds for the Lions.

UNLV forward J.R. Rider scored a game-high 29 points, including six during a 14-2 run midway through the second half that gave the Rebels a 61-47 lead with 9:56 to play. UNLV led by at least five after that until Loyola forward Zan Mason converted a three-point play with 2:13 remaining to pull the Lions within 79-76.