Loyola Loses Fifth in a Row, 77-56

This is becoming a long season already for the Loyola Marymount men’s basketball team.

The Lions lost their fifth consecutive game, this time a 77-56 nonconference blowout to Northern Arizona before 1,062 at Gersten Pavilion on Wednesday night.

It’s the longest losing streak for the Lions (2-6) since they dropped five in a row in 1993-94, after starting that season with nine defeats.

“I don’t really have the answers right now,” Coach John Olive said. “I was very disappointed with our lack of energy.”

Only senior point guard Jim Williamson, who paced the Lions with 21 points, put out a significant effort.

Northern Arizona (5-2), which won its fifth in a row, outhustled the Lions and pulled away in a foul-filled second half after trailing at halftime, 29-28.

The Lumberjacks, behind forward Andrew Mavis’ 20 second-half points, took the lead for good at 43-42 with 13:57 to play. Mavis scored a career-high 27 points.

Loyola Marymount was outshot from the field, 46.7% to 30.0%, and from the free-throw line, 81.3% to 62.5%.

The Lions, beset by injuries, again suited up only eight players and Olive thought the manpower shortage played a role in the defeat.

“We are a tired team right now,” he said.