Dec. 1, 2007

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Los Angeles, CA - Sophomore Shawn Deadwiler scored a career-high 23 points but it wasn't enough as Loyola Marymoun fell to UC Santa Barbara in the final minutes, 63-56, in a non-conference match-up Saturday at Gersten Pavilion. The Gauchos won their fifth straight and improve to 7-1 while LMU falls to 2-6.

Deadwiler finished 7-for-13 from the field and 5-for-8 from the three-point line as his three-pointer with 1:05 remaining cut the Gaucho lead to 59-56. LMU could not capitalize on Ivan Elliott going just 1-for-2 from the free throw line on the next possession and James Powell put the game away with his two free throws with 24 seconds remaining.

"We played much harder and with a purpose tonight," said Head Coach Rodney Tention. "We wanted to be tougher than our opponent tonight. But it was the same story on the turnovers. We are not going to win until we take care of the ball."

The Lions finished the game with 24 turnovers resulting in 22 UCSB points. The teams finished even from the field, both going 20-for-51 (39.2 percent). UCSB had the edge at the charity stripe, going 19-for-26 while LMU went just 11-for-15.

"We need more than one guy to score points for us. Tim (Diederichs) was one of our most consistent from the floor early and he has had just two field goal attempts the last two games. We have to get the ball inside." The Lions were outscored 28-20 in the paint.

Senior Jon Ziri finished with just six points but had a career-high 12 rebounds with four assists and four steals. Mason Maynard and Orlando Johnson added seven points each as LMU out rebounded UCSB 37-33.

The game was tight throughout as it featured six ties and 13 lead changes. The Lions fell down by nine at the 9:35 mark of the first half, 16-7, but went on a 10-0 run the nest four minutes to take a 17-16 lead. LMU then trailed by just two, 23-21, at the break.

LMU took the lead right back on the first play of the second half as Johnson capitalized on a three-point play to make it 24-23. The lead would change hands several times before UCSB look to take advantage at 49-40 with 9:08 to play. LMU would not go away as they cut the lead to 54-51 on a Deadwiler three-pointer at the 3:48 mark.

The Lions would hold the Gauchos without a field goal for nearly four minutes. Alex Harris, however, hit a jumper to make the lead six once again, 59-53 with 1:46 remaining. Harris lead UCSB with 21 points.

LMU will start a three-game road trip at Long Beach State on Wednesday, Dec. 5 at 7:05 p.m. The game can be heard on KXLU 88.9 FM and LMULions.com.