Loyola Is No Match for Samford

Jon Mills made all four of his first-half three-point shots and scored 14 points Tuesday night as Samford defeated Loyola Marymount, 72-60, in the opening round of the inaugural Guardians Classic.

Samford built a 41-26 halftime lead and wore down the Lions in the second half with its deliberate offense.

“We gave up too many easy baskets,” Lion Coach Steve Aggers said. “They are very hard to defend and they ran their offense in midseason form. School was in session.”

Freshman Andy Osborn had 14 points for the Lions and Greg Lakey added 12.

Marcus Smith and Robert Davis had 10 points apiece.

The Bulldogs advanced to tonight’s second round of the 16-team tournament and will play No. 24 Alabama, which defeated Mississippi Valley State, 107-67.

The Lions play Mississippi Valley State today at 4.