Nov. 14, 2001

Final Stats

Tuscaloosa, AL (November 14) -- Loyola Marymount University rebounded with force in the second round of the Guardians Classic with a 74-65 win over Mississippi Valley State on Wednesday night in Tuscaloosa, AL.

The Lions, who improve to 1-1 in the early 2001-02 season, outrebounded Mississippi Valley State (0-2) 51-26 and shot 48 percent from the field to finish 1-1 in the inaugural Guardians Classic held at the University of Alabama.

"I am very proud of our basketball team in the way we bounced back from last night," said Head Coach Steve Aggers, whose team lost to Samford 72-60 in the first day of the Classic. "I thought we controlled the game and outrebounding them by 25 was a difference in the game."

On the boards the Lions were led by freshman Andy Osborn with 12 rebounds, eight defensive. The Longmont, Colo., native added 15 points and in his first two games as a Lion is averaging 14.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.

"Andy had a great game for us tonight," said Aggers. "He is improving daily and will have a great career here at LMU. Marcus (Smith) shot the ball really well and our offense got him good looks at the basket. It was a great team effort tonight."

The Lions jumped out to a 35-27 lead at halftime thanks to Osborn's 10 points and 10 rebounds, giving him his first double-double of his young career at LMU. His performance is only the third freshman to earn a double-double in program history, joining Forrest McKenzie (1981-82) and Luther Philyaw (1972-73), and his 12 rebounds is tied with McKenzie for second all-time by a freshman.

Sophomore Kent Dennis would hit three three-pointers in the first half and finish with 13 off the bench to help LMU extend the lead to 20 halfway through the second half. The second half lead was padded by the hot shooting of the senior Smith, who had 14 of his game-high 18 in the second half. In addition, point guard Eurskine Robinson earned the start and had four points and nine rebounds.

However, the Delta Devils would cut the lead to seven points (71-64) with 57 seconds remaining in the game on Ashley Robinson's fourth three-pointer of the game. Robinson would finish with a team-high 16. "We controlled the game, but in then late I thought we had some brain cramps and weren't very smart with the ball," said Aggers. "We've got to learn from silly mistakes and we'll be a better team down the road. It was good to get a win on the road." The win breaks a six-game neutral court losing streak for the Lions.

The Lions defense, after Samford hit 54 percent last night, clamped down to limit the Delta Devils to 34 percent from the field. In addition, D'Jamel Jackson, who scored 32 against Alabama, was held to 4-for-18 from the field for 11 points.

The Lions head home to host Idaho State in the home opener on Saturday, Nov. 17 at 1:05 p.m. -GO LIONS-