St. Mary’s 74, Loyola Marymount 71--A night...

St. Mary’s 74, Loyola Marymount 71--A night after absorbing their worst West Coast Conference loss in history, the Lions nearly overcame a 22-point deficit before 680 at Gersten Pavilion.

The Lions had a chance to tie the score, but Elton Mashack missed a three-point shot with three seconds left.

St. Mary’s guard Frank Allocco scored a game-high 20 points. Allocco and Frankie King each made two free throws in the final 20 seconds to hold off the Lions. It was the first road victory in eight games for St. Mary’s (6-9, 1-1) dating to Feb. 27.

Loyola, despite 14 points from Curtis Slaughter and a career-high 13 points from Damon Croshere, fell to 2-13, 0-2.

“Other people were more worried about the [road] streak than we were,” St. Mary’s Coach Dave Bollwinkel said. “But I didn’t know we hadn’t won on the road this season. At least now people will quit asking about it.”

Lion Coach Charles Bradley chose not to talk with reporters after the game.

Loyola, coming off Friday’s 44-point loss to San Diego, trailed, 26-6, at the 12:24 mark of the first half after consecutive three-point baskets by Allocco.

St. Mary’s increased the lead to 36-14 before a 16-4 run by Loyola in the final six minutes brought the Lions within 41-30 at halftime.