Freshmen Prop Up Loyola, 70-62

With key players Ime Oduok and Wyking Jones in foul trouble, Loyola Marymount Coach John Olive turned to freshman reserves Kenny Hotopp and Ben Ammerman, who played so effectively that the Lions hung on for a 70-62 victory over the University of San Diego on Thursday night.

Hotopp, who was averaging 2.3 points, led Loyola with 15 points in 28 minutes in front of 1,479 at the USD Sports Center. Ammerman, averaging 2.7, sank his only two shots in a late first-half flurry that gave the Lions a 41-36 lead at halftime.

Oduok scored 12 points in 12 minutes, Jones four points in 23 minutes. Doug Harris of San Diego led all scorers with 16.

The victory was only the third in Loyola’s last 10 games. “It was important to us, so we can finish the season in the proper way,” Olive said.

Loyola is 12-11, 4-7 in the West Coast Conference. San Diego is 9-13, 4-7.