Feb. 7, 2009

Box Score

Los Angeles, CA - Despite taking 16 more shots, the Loyola Marymount men's basketball team could not overcome 25.8 percent shooting from the field as they fell to rival Pepperdine, 58-43, in West Coast Conference action on Saturday night at Gersten Pavilion. The Lions went 16-for-62 from the field while Pepperdine went 20-for-46 (43.5 percent).

The Lions hit just six field goals in the first half and trailed 25-19 at the break. The shooting woes were not limited to just the field as they went just 4-for-22 from the three-point line (18.2 percent). In addition, the Lions, who entered Saturday second in the WCC in free throw shooting at better than 71 percent, went just 7-for-17 from the free throw line (41.2 percent).

"We could not hit anything tonight," said Head Coach Max Good. "We couldn't hit from inside, we couldn't even hit from the free throw line. We really struggled. We did a good job in creating opportunities, but we couldn't capitalize."

Vernon Teel led the Lions with 17 points and eight rebounds, all offensive. He was the only Lion in double figures as the shooting woes were evident in the freshman. Kevin Young finished with 13 rebounds, seven offensive, but had just six points while going just 3-for-12.

"We did a good job on the glass in giving ourselves additional opportunities, but we couldn't hit those either," said Good. The Lions had 22 offensive boards to Pepperdine's nine and outscored the Waves 16-9 in second chance points.

Jarred DuBois had nine points and seven rebounds but went just 3-for-20 from the field. Making matters worse, DuBois, who entered the game second in the WCC in free throw shooting at better than 86 percent, was just 2-for-5.

In addition to the rebound edge on the offensive glass, the Lions forced Pepperdine into 16 turnovers on seven steals while only having 13 turnovers. "We did better in taking care of the ball and creating offense from our defense, but again, we didn't take care of our opportunities," said Good.

The Lions trailed by seven for most of the second half but despite the rough shooting managed to erase the deficit and took the lead. Trailing 32-25, the Lions went on an 11-2 run, capped by a DuBois jumper to take a 36-34 lead with 10:00 to play. LMU couldn't seize the momentum as the Waves retook the lead on three free throws and never lost it.

LMU continues their three-game homestand when the host San Diego on Thrusday, Feb. 12 at 7:05 p.m.

- GO LIONS -