Loyola Marymount 78, Cal Baptist 74

Senior guard Rupert McClendon had a career-high 26 points and added eight rebounds as the Lions won their season opener at Gersten Pavilion.

McClendon’s biggest points came with 1:21 to play, when his three-point basket broke a 70-70 tie and gave Loyola the lead for good.

The Lions outrebounded the Lancers, 49-39, and held Cal Baptist to 29% shooting in the first half. But the Lancers actually led throughout much of the second half before a 10-0 Lion run. Guard Gary Gillman led Cal Baptist with 21 points.

Georgia Tech transfer Pablo Machado added 15 points and 17 rebounds in his Lion debut, the most rebounds ever by a player in his first game for Loyola Marymount.

The Lions did have trouble from the free-throw line, shooting only 65%. Loyola shot 44.6% from the field.