Jan. 9, 2003

BRIEFLY
The Loyola Marymount University men's basketball team will open play in the West Coast Conference this 2003 season when they take on defending champions, Gonzaga at The Kennel in Spokane, Wash., on Thursday night at 7 p.m.

SERIES HISTORY
Gonzaga holds a 39-18 edge in the all-time series against Loyola Marymount. Last season Gonzaga defeated the Lions three times, including an 82-64 win in the first round of the conference tournament in San Diego. The Lions lost to the Zags in Spokane 72-51 on Feb. 14. The Zags have had their way in the series of late, winning 15 in a row and 19 of the last 20. The last win for the Lions came in Gersten Pavilion, 83-69, on Feb. 6, 1996.

UPDATE ON THE ZAGS
Gonzaga enters conference play with a 9-5 record, facing one of the toughest schedules in the conference if not the country. The Zags are coming off an 87-49 dismantling of Portland State on the road. The win came on the heals of a 79-78 overtime loss to Saint Joseph's at the Kennel. It was the first loss for the Bulldogs at home in 29 games and the first non-conference home loss in 23 games. Against the Lions, the home winning streak dates back to 1991. Gonzaga is led by Blake Stepp with 15.4 points and 6.14 assists per game and Ronny Turiaf with 15.3 points and five rebounds per game. Gonzaga once again leads the conference in rebounding, with a margin over five per game. Cory Violette is one of the best in the conference with 8.4 per game. Gonzaga is coached by Mark Few, who has a four-year record of 90-25.

THE LAST TIME
Gonzaga defeated the Lions 82-64 in the first round of the 2002 WCC Tournament. Gonzaga took an early 37-23 lead at halftime, but the Lions fought back and cut the lead to six with eight minutes to play. The Zags turned to All-American Dan Dickau down the stretch, who scored 15 of his 17 in the final frame. Senior Greg Lakey led the Lions with 18 points and eight rebounds in his final collegiate game. Kent Dennis had 10 points as the Lions finished 16-for-16 from the charity stripe.

PROJECTED STARTERS

Gonzaga		Pos.	Ht.	Yr.	PPG	RPG
25	Tony Skinner	F	6-5	Jr.	9.3	3.5
34	Richard Fox	F	6-11	Jr.	7.7	4.1
33	Cory Violette	C	6-8	Jr.	11.9	8.4
01	Winston Brooks	G	6-0	Sr.	2.8	3.4*
10	Blake Stepp	G	6-4	Jr.	15.4	6.1*
Loyola Marymount		Pos.	Ht.	Yr.	PPG	RPG
04	Andy Osborn	F	6-9	So.	12.5	4.3
31	Keith Kincade	F	6-6	Jr.	9.4	4.0
33	Sherman Gay	F	6-7	Jr.	8.3	4.0
02	Brandon Worthy	G	6-2	Fr.	10.7	2.9
01	Charles Brown	G	5-11	So.	11.5	4.3
Starters based on last game. * - Assists per game.