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Delaware Hands LMU First Home Loss, 66-60
Dec. 29, 2008
Los Angeles, CA - LMU went cold early and came up short late in its final game of the 2008 calendar year, falling 66-60 to Delaware in the championship game of the 2008 Courtyard by Marriott L.A. Westside Holiday Tournament on Monday night at Gersten Pavilion in Los Angeles. The Lions (9-4) suffer their first home loss of the season while the Blue Hens (8-3) win their sixth straight. Earlier in the day, Stony Brook won the consolation game 56-38 over San Jose State. Freshman Alex Cowling continued to lead the Lions in scoring, tying for the team-high with 16 points while grabbing eight rebounds, six on the offensive end. Sophomore Renahy Young also finished with 16 points while sophomore Aleyse Evans added 10 points and four blocks. Cowling and Young each were named to the All-Tournament Team. LMU struggled mightily from the floor to start the game, shooting a season-low 18% in the first half. They recovered in the second to pull within four, finishing the game at 34.5% (20-for-58), including just 17.6% (3-for-17) from three-point range. Tournament Most Valuable Player Tesia Harris led all scorers with 21 points, adding six rebounds and four steals. Vanessa Kabongo had 14 points to earn All-Tournament honors while Jocelyn Bailey came off the bench for 10 points. LMU's defense limited the Blue Hens to just 39.3% (22-for-56) shooting but Delaware made up for it at the line, going 20-for-25 (80%). Delaware also held a 43-36 rebounding advantage. In the first-ever meeting between the two schools, something would have to give. Delaware entered the game having won five in a row while LMU had yet to lose in six home games but had never claimed the title at its home holiday tournament. It was the Blue Hens who started stronger - pulling down five offensive rebounds that led to six second chance points in jumping out to a 16-6 lead nine minutes in. Meanwhile, the Lions were struggling both offensively and defensively. LMU missed eight of its first 10 shots from the floor and committed as many fouls (six) as they had points.
The Delaware lead would expand to 26-13 as the Lions continued to misfire. Cowling was the one Lion who Delaware was struggling to contain, scoring seven of LMU's 13 points. On the other side, Harris was leading the charge with 12 points at the half, which Delaware led 34-21. The 13-point deficit was LMU's largest at home at halftime this season while the 18.5% (5-for-27) shooting performance was the lowest in a half this year. Delaware was able to hold the Lions at bay for much of the second half, buoying its lead between 13 and 16 points until there was less than eight minutes remaining. A three-pointer from Harris put Delaware ahead 54-38 with 8:49 left but that's when LMU turned on the defense, forcing several Blue Hen turnovers as part of an 11-2 run to climb back to 56-49. Evans started the run with two buckets inside and Young followed with a three before senior Cassady Moore had back-to-back steals and fastbreak layups to cap the spurt. LMU continued to pound the ball down low to Evans, who responded with consecutive baskets to make it a five-point game, 58-53. Kabongo responded with two straight jumpers to hold off the Lions. After turning the ball over with a minute remaining, Cowling then missed a three, forcing the Lions to foul. The Lions head out on the road on Saturday to open the new year and close out the non-conference schedule. LMU visits Cal State Bakersfield at 2 p.m. Courtyard by Marriott L.A. Westside Holiday Tournament All-Tournament Team - GO LIONS - |
