Loyola Defeats San Diego in WCAC Opener, 115-75

Several roles were reversed Friday night as Loyola Marymount opened its West Coast Athletic Conference schedule, but the ending was similar to most this season at Gersten Pavilion, the Lions scoring a 115-75 victory.

The victim this time was the University of San Diego, the defending conference champion and a team that beat up on Loyola several times last season as the Lions finished last.

The point total was the largest San Diego has given up since moving up to Division I eight years ago, and was a school record for Loyola in WCAC play.

Loyola is now 11-3 and faces a key game tonight at home against St. Mary’s, an overtime loser to Pepperdine on Friday, 67-61. That’s the most points St. Mary’s has given up this season. Loyola is averaging 118 points in home games.

The Lions broke out quickly against a very green Torero squad, despite the fact scoring leader Hank Gathers was on the bench for missing a team meeting. Junior guard Enoch Simmons, normally the team super-sub, started in his place and may have had the best half of his career, with 16 points and 4 steals and 4-of-5 shooting from three-point range.

With Simmons keying a pressing defense that produced 21 first-half turnovers including 14 steals, the Lions led, 25-9, nine minutes into the game and 43-19 with 5:35 left.

The lead reached 57-29 by halftime and the Lions were up by 41 at 80-39 with 13 minutes still left.

Gathers started the second half and managed to lead all scorers with 21 points in 20 minutes, hitting 10 of 12 shots. Bo Kimble threw in 18 points off the bench, Mike Yoest had 17 points and 15 rebounds, Simmons finished with 16 points and Corey Gaines had 15 points and 8 assists.

The Lions had 21 steals and forced 29 turnovers, and they hit their scoring average despite shooting an uncharacteristic 6-of-23 on three-pointers.