Loyola Wins Opener Against Sonoma

Being the polite host, Loyola Marymount Coach John Olive waited until the second half Friday night to exploit his team’s height advantage in an 85-66 victory over Sonoma State at Gersten Pavilion.

Ime Oduok, playing a limited role, had a game-high 16 points and Jim Williamson and Ben Ammerman each added 15 in the Lions’ season opener before 1,004.

Olive said he had two objectives against Sonoma State (1-2), a Division II school.

“I didn’t want my mature players to get into foul trouble,” said Olive, who played 6-foot-9 Oduok for 19 minutes. “I also wanted the young kids to get some valuable playing experience.”

The Lions played without two potential starters: Mike O’Quinn, the team’s top returning scorer, and shooting guard Terryl Woolery. O’Quinn will be sidelined about two weeks because of a fractured bone in his right hand. Woolery was suspended nine games for violating team rules for the second time in two seasons.

Olive lost his third starter when Williamson suffered a gash above his right eye with about 10 minutes left in the game. Williamson, a 5-foot-10 point guard, needed three stitches to close the wound.

During Williamson’s absence, freshman Julian Hammond capably ran the Lions’ offense. But the most impressive performance was by 6-7 sophomore Ammerman, who had career highs in points, rebounds (nine) and assists (five).

Michael DeSantis had 15 points to lead the Cossacks.