Spokane, WASH. (February 16, 2001) -- Loyola Marymount University found out first hand why Gonzaga is a top the West Coast Conference and one of the hottest teams in the country, as the Lions fall to the Bulldogs 101-68 in Spokane, Wash., on Thursday night.

How hot are the Bulldogs, who improve to 19-5 and 11-0 with the win? It was their school record 13th consecutive win and once they got the lead above 10, they never looked back. For only the second time this season, the Lions (7-17, 3-8) did not lead in a game, as Gonzaga took control of the contest from the outset. Gonzaga can clinch the WCC title on Saturday against Pepperdine, who remained a game behind Gonzaga in the WCC with a 94-58 win against Portland.

Gonzaga jumped out to a 22-point lead at halftime thanks to a three-pointer at the buzzer by Dan Dickau. It typified the evening for the Lions, who once again fought foul trouble in piling up 26 team fouls, three shy of the season high they set last week at San Diego. Both junior Sean Mollins, who had been suffering with the flu all week, and senior Pablo Machado fouled out of the game before the six minute mark in the second half.

The foul trouble allowed Sherman Gay finish with a career game. As the lone freshman on the Lions' roster and key part of LMU's "dynamic future," Gay finished the game with a career high 11 points and another career high five rebounds. He becomes the 10th player this season to have finished the game in double figures.

Also in double figures for the Lions was junior Robert Davis, who led the team in scoring for the eighth time this season with 13 points. Junior Tyler McClenahan finished with 12 and was 4-for-5 from three-point line. Senior Elton Mashack had his 14th game of the season in double digits with 10. It is the 16th game this season three or more players have finished in double figures for the Lions, which was the first time for this very unexpected player combination.

Leading the Bulldogs was Casey Calvary with 25 points in 27 minutes of play. They finished with five players in double-figures and finished the game shooting 55 percent (33-60) from the field. They also turned the tables on the glass, outrebounding the Lions 48-30.

The Lions travel to Portland for an important game against the Pilots on Saturday night. LMU, who defeated Portland just over two weeks ago in Los Angeles, 81-69, can move into sole possession of sixth place with a win. Both teams sit at 3-8 in conference play. The match-up is important for seeding in the WCC's Tournament. A victory will also keep the Lions' within range to take over San Francisco for fifth place in the WCC. The Lions take on USF next weekend in the final weekend of WCC play at Gersten Pavilion.

LMU and Portland tip-off at 7 p.m. and the game can be heard on KXLU 88.9 FM.

-GO LIONS-