Box Score

Malibu, CA (Jan. 24) - The Loyola Marymount University men's basketball team could not answer rival Pepperdine's second half push as they fall 82-67 in West Coast Conference action on Saturday night.

The teams looked to be in a shootout as they traded leads throughout the first half. However, the Waves took a four-point lead eight minutes into the second half and over the next ten minutes stretched the lead to double digits. The Lions fall to 10-8 on the year and 1-3 in the WCC. Pepperdine improves to 8-12 and 3-2 in the WCC.

"We managed the tempo and pace well in the first half," said Head Coach Steve Aggers. "Once they got the lead in the second half and forced us to extend the defense they got some easy shots."

The Lions were led by senior Keith Kincade with 16 and junior Charles Brown had 14. Joining the LMU in double figures was senior Sherman Gay with 13 and sophomore Chris Ayer with 11. The Waves were led by Yakhouba Diawara with 24 points and Terrand Johnson with 23.

LMU had its best start at Firestone Fieldhouse in over six seasons as they scored the games first six points and then posted a 10-7 lead. Pepperdine fought back and tied for the first of five times.

"We did a good job on their post players and got the ball for some easy looks early," said Aggers. "However, we had to get out of our tempo once they stretched the lead and forced us to play uptempo. That does not work well with our thin bench." Four of the Lions' top nine players were not in action tonight.

The teams traded leads nine times in the first frame as Ayer scored six of the Lions first eight points and freshman Matthew Knight continued his solid play off the bench with seven points.

Second chance points for the Waves once again hurt the Lions as Pepperdine had 17 offensive rebounds and outboarded the Lions 44-37 for the game. The Waves had 15 second chance points to LMU's six as the Waves pulled away in the final minutes thanks to 21 second half free throws.

Pepperdine finished the game 47 percent from the field and the Lions hit 42 percent. The Lions forced the Waves, who turns the ball over the fewest in the WCC, to 18 turnovers.

LMU will return to Gersten Pavilion when they take on San Francisco on Thursday, Jan. 29 at 7:05 p.m.

- GO LIONS -