Nov. 13, 2009

Box Score
Good Postgame Quotes on LMU Podcast Center
Radio Highlights on LMU Podcast Center

MISSOULA, Mont. - The result wasn't want the LMU men's basketball team fought 40 minutes for, but what a difference a year makes.

A year after averaging just 55 points a game and going nearly two years without hitting more than 80 points, the Lions offense got the year off to a running start. However, it wasn't enough as junior Larry Davis' three-pointer at the buzzer went long off the back iron and the Lions fell in their opener, 90-87, at the Karl Tyler Chevrolet Grizzly Basketball Classic in Missoula, Mont., on Friday night.

The Lions finished with five players in double figures, which hasn't happened in three seasons. They out-rebounded Boise State 36-35 and forced the Broncos to 16 turnovers to just 14 of their own. The same Broncos that have averaged more than 22 wins the last four seasons.

This all came with nearly half of their minutes coming from players who were not on the floor for college basketball a year ago.

"We are a work in progress and made some mistakes young teams make," said Head Coach Max Good. "But we got some production from players we weren't expecting and they really played well. They (Boise State) is a very good program who looks to run and push the pace, and I felt we really stayed with them."

Davis came off the bench to play his first game in nearly two years to score 22 points on 9-for-14 shooting. Sophomore Kevin Young picked-up where he left off his freshman year with 16 points, nine rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block. Vernon Teel added 17 points, five rebounds and five assist, while committing just one turnover.

Drew Viney added 10 points and seven rebounds in his first action in nearly two years, while Jarred DuBois had 11 points. Freshman Edgar Garibay, playing in his first collegiate contest, played 34 minutes off the bench, scoring six points with eight rebounds, two blocks and a steal.

"We weren't even expecting Larry to play tonight," said Good. "He played well for someone who wasn't on the floor last year."

During the course of each half the Lions found themselves down 10 only to work back both times. The Lions trailed 18-8 early in the first half, but recovered to take a five-point lead, 43-38, with 2:42 to play on a jumper by Teel.

Boise State managed to tie the game at the break and then used a 12-2 run to build the lead back to 10, 57-47, with 17:18 to play.

The young Lions wouldn't go away. They cut the lead to just one when DuBois hit his only field goal of the second to make it 68-67 with 10:43 to play. The Lions had three chances to take the lead but couldn't capitalize. Boise State made them pay, going on an 8-0 run to put the lead back to nine, 76-67.

Showing this is a new Lion team, the Lions fought right back again. This time they tied it. Down three, Teel took a pass from Young and buried a three-pointer to tie it at 82-82 with 2:32 to play.

The Broncos Paul Noonan hit a lay-up on a dish by Ike Okoye with 2:04 to play to make it 84-82. It would be their last field goal. Davis hit one of two free throws to make it 84-83 with 1:20 to play.

Both teams would miss on their next possessions and with 35 seconds left La'Shard Anderson was fouled, and proceeded to hit six straight field goals the rest of the way to keep the Lions at arms length.

Davis hit a pair of free throws with 17 seconds left to make it 86-84 then Teel hit a lay-up with six seconds on the clock to make it 88-87. After the Anderson free throws, Davis had a look near the Lions' bench, but missed long.

The Lions will turn right around and take on North Dakota in day two of the Montana Tournament, playing the Fighting Sioux at 5:05 p.m. (PT) Saturday night. Listen to the game on KXLU 88.9 FM.