Benchmark Victory for Loyola, 80-65 : WCC: Jones leads strong play of reserves with 17 points against Portland in conference opener.

Loyola Marymount used an aggressive defensive effort and a big game from a little-used reserve to defeat Portland, 80-65, Friday night in a West Coast Conference opener before 1,923 at Gersten Pavilion.

Loyola (6-7) forced Portland into 21 turnovers and got an unexpected lift from reserve sophomore forward Wyking Jones, who scored career-high 17 points.

“There were some defensive lapses but, by and large, more minutes of the game were played at the level we need to be successful,” Loyola Coach John Olive said. “That’s what we’re striving for.”

Forward Zan Mason led Loyola with 26 points and 11 rebounds. Mason has scored at least 24 points in each of the last three games.

Jones averaged only 8.7 minutes in the Lions’ first 12 games, but he made his presence felt in the first half when Olive substituted for the starting five. The reserves, forcing several turnovers with a tenacious half-court defense, helped Loyola break a 9-9 tie and take the lead for good.

“We call that ‘The Pack,’ ” Jones said of the second team. “That’s when Coach clears the bench and let’s us run around like wild animals.”

Olive said he wasn’t surprised by the play of his reserves, and in particular Jones.

“He did what we expected from him,” Olive said. “He’s a talented young man. With back-to-back games (in conference play), we have to use our bench.”

The Lions play host to Gonzaga at 7:30 tonight.

Portland (6-7), after falling behind by 12 points early in the second half, closed to within 58-54 with 5:19 left.

Loyola responded with an 11-2 run to make it 69-56 with 2:58 remaining. Three of the Lions’ baskets came after steals, including two layups by guard Rahim Harris, who finished with six steals.

“They kept pressuring and finding ways to hurt us,” Portland Coach Larry Steele said of Loyola. “They did a nice job.”

Grant Tracy scored 19 of his 25 points in the second half for Portland.