Loyola Hangs On to This Big Lead

Loyola Marymount took a step forward in its rebuilding process Tuesday night, holding off a second-half rally to defeat Long Beach State, 76-68, at the Pyramid in Long Beach.

Loyola Marymount (6-4) watched a 17-point second-half lead dwindle to 73-68 with 52 seconds to play, but Greg Lakey and Robert Davis made three of four free throws in the waning moments and Long Beach (3-7) missed two three-point shots during that stretch.

The Lions, who blew a 16-point halftime lead Saturday night against Nevada Las Vegas, made 11 of their first 14 shots in the second half Tuesday night and took a 59-42 lead midway through the second half. But when Long Beach narrowed the margin to five with a minute to play, Lion Coach Steve Aggers wondered if the second-half collapse from Saturday would repeat.

“I don’t know if it was a flashback,” Aggers said. “But [the UNLV game] is definitely in the back of your mind. This is a big win for us to bounce back from that loss. It’s a positive step.”

Loyola ended a four-game losing streak to the 49ers, who suffered their fifth consecutive loss and sixth in seven games.

Lakey had 12 points to lead five Lions who scored in double figures. Travis Reed of Long Beach had 15 points.

Long Beach was within 67-60 with 6:13 to play, but Loyola forward Andy Osborn helped keep the 49ers at arm’s length by scoring six consecutive points with three tough jump shots.

“You’ve got to give them credit,” Long Beach Coach Wayne Morgan said. “When we were coming back, they made some plays.”

Loyola trailed for much of the first half but took its first lead, 26-25, when Lakey made two free throws. The Lions held Long Beach to one field goal for the rest of the half and took a 33-27 halftime lead. Loyola did not trail in the second half.