Spanich, Trojans Stop Loyola’s Charge, 92-88

Forward Adam Spanich made a 19-foot jumper with 24 seconds remaining Friday night to snap a tie and help USC beat Loyola Marymount, 92-88.

The host Lions (0-2) had rallied from a 19-point deficit with 10:22 remaining to take a 85-84 lead on Haywood Eaddy’s layup with 1:24 left.

USC (2-1) went ahead, 86-85, on two free throws by Gary Johnson with 1:04 to play. Loyola’s Kenny Hotopp made a foul shot with 49 seconds remaining to set the stage for Spanich’s big shot.

After Loyola’s Ben Ammerman missed a three-point shot with 18 seconds to go, USC’s Jarvis Turner made two free throws with 14 seconds remaining.

Johnson then stole Loyola’s inbound pass, was fouled, and made two more foul shots with 11 seconds left to clinch the victory.

Ammerman made a short jumper with 1.3 seconds left to complete the scoring.

Gary Williams led the Trojans with 23 points and eight rebounds. Turner added 19 points and six rebounds and Johnson had 15 points and eight assists. Elias Ayuso added 14 points and Spanich came off the bench to score 13.

Ammerman led Loyola with a career-high 26 points, five rebounds and six assists. Eaddy added a career-high 22 points and had five assists.