Loyola (3-0) Wins in Second Overtime

Loyola Marymount, unbeaten after two games for the first time in eight seasons, stepped up to a higher level of competition for its third game Friday night and showed that it was ready for the jump.

The Lions, lopsided winners over Cal State Hayward and San Jose State in their first two games, overcame a seven-point deficit in the last four minutes of regulation and finally defeated Southwestern Louisiana, 80-73, in double overtime before 2,224 at Loyola.

Southwestern Louisiana, an NCAA tournament participant two of the last three seasons, built a 63-56 lead before Loyola rallied for its first overtime victory in three seasons under Coach John Olive.

“Over the last couple of years, we played some pretty tough competition down to the wire but didn’t have the maturity to win those games,” said Olive, who was 13-41 in his first two seasons. “We’ve talked a lot about being a mature team, and I thought the kids showed great character.”

Sophomore point guard Jim Williamson, one of two Lions who played all 50 minutes, tied the score at 65-65 and capped a 9-2 run when he made a driving scoop shot with 20 seconds to play in regulation, then had a 75-foot shot hit the front of the rim at the buzzer.

Reginald Poole of Southwestern Louisiana (1-2) missed a baseline jumper at the end of the first overtime before Loyola, which made only 12 of 27 free throws in the first 45 minutes, made seven of eight in the second overtime and outscored the Ragin’ Cajuns, 11-4.

“This shows that we’re not the team of the past,” said Loyola senior Wyking Jones, who also played 50 minutes and scored a game-high 24 points. “It shows that teams have to respect us a lot more.”