Loyola Marymount’s game is more than a homecoming

Loyola Marymount’s homecoming basketball game against St. Mary’s tonight at 7 will also be a celebration of the 20th anniversary of the program’s surprising run to a regional final in the 1990 NCAA men’s tournament.

The Lions that season averaged 122.4 points a game, still a Division I record, and established 11 NCAA tournament records in a 149-115 victory over defending national champion Michigan in the second round.

LMU scored more than 100 points in a record 28 of 32 games, led by USC transfers Hank Gathers and Bo Kimble. The Lions made their tournament run without Gathers, who died soon after collapsing during a West Coast Conference tournament game at LMU’s Gersten Pavilion on March 4, 1990.

Nearly all the players and coaches from that team are expected to attend tonight’s game. The Lions are 11-11 after rallying to defeat San Diego on Thursday. St. Mary’s is 18-3 after routing Pepperdine.

-- staff reports