Loyola Marymount Passes Test in 80-71 Victory

Returning to action after a 10-day layoff because of final exams, Loyola Marymount’s players weren’t at their best Saturday night.

But the Lions still met with the approval of Coach John Olive, who could complain only so much after his team overcame a sluggish performance to defeat foul-plagued Loyola of Chicago, 80-71, in a nonconference game at Gersten Pavilion.

“The 10 days off hurt us,” Olive said. “We weren’t sharp. We looked a little fatigued. The intensity wasn’t there like it usually is. But we won the game, and that’s the bottom line.”

The Lions (5-1), off to their best start since opening the 1989-90 season 6-1, committed 23 turnovers and shot 46% from the field. But it was difficult for Olive not to smile. In his three seasons at Loyola, he rarely has had the luxury of enjoying a victory after a bad game.

“That’s unusual for us,” he said. “Hopefully, it’s a sign of maturity, of finding ways to win when you don’t play well.”

Of course, Loyola of Chicago (2-3) did little to take advantage of the situation. The Ramblers shot 35% (27 of 78) and committed 30 fouls, resulting in Loyola Marymount shooting 41 free throws. The Lions made 29.

The most critical foul occurred with 7:43 to play when Bernie Salthe, the Ramblers’ 6-foot-11 center, fouled out on a charging call near the basket. Loyola of Chicago Coach Ken Burmeister complained and drew a technical foul, resulting in Jim Williamson making one of two free throws to give Loyola Marymount a 62-53 lead.

Williamson, the Lions’ sophomore point guard, also did what he was supposed to do, making four free throws in the final 1:01 after Loyola of Chicago had cut the deficit to 76-71, the smallest it got in the second half.

Forward Wyking Jones led Loyola Marymount with 22 points and nine rebounds, forward Mike O’Quinn had 17 points and four blocked shots, Ime Odouk had a game-high 13 rebounds, and Williamson had 12 points and six assists.