Loyola Rally Falls Short Against Gonzaga

Early last week, Loyola Marymount Coach John Olive said it was critical that the Lions win their first two West Coast Conference games at home.

“In a conference situation, you have to hold your own turf,” Olive said.

Loyola accomplished only half its mission.

The Lions cut a 13-point deficit to one in the last six minutes Saturday, but Gonzaga hung on for a 65-64 victory before 2,047 at Gersten Pavilion.

The defeat left Loyola (6-8), which beat Portland on Friday, with a 1-1 conference record. Gonzaga, the preseason WCC favorite, improved to 9-5 and 1-1 with its first victory at Loyola since 1987.

Reserve guard John Rillie made three of four free throws in the final 27 seconds, the last two coming with five seconds left, to give Gonzaga a 65-61 lead. Loyola forward Zan Mason hit a three-point shot to make it a one-point game.

“They stuck in there,” Mason, who scored 15 points, said of Gonzaga. “They made the big plays at the end to take the game away from us.”

Loyola shot a season-low 36.2% (25 of 69) and missed two field goals in the last minute. With the Lions trailing, 62-61, point guard Bill Mazurie had a shot go in and out of the basket with 29 seconds left. After a free throw by Rillie made it 63-61, Loyola center Brian McCloskey missed a 10-foot jump shot from the right side of the key.

Jeff Brown led Gonzaga with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Reserve guard Matt Stanford added 17 points. The Bulldogs outrebounded Loyola, 42-28.