Dec. 14, 2009

SAN BRUNO, Calif. - Junior Vernon Teel continues to show signs of having the best season of his career, and he added more proof on Monday as the West Coast Conference named him Co-Player of the Week after earning one of the Lions' biggest non-conference wins of the decade.

Teel earned his second double-double of his career with 24 points and 11 rebounds to lift the Lions to an 87-85 win over Notre Dame on the road Saturday. He added six assists, just two turnovers and a steal in handing the Fighting Irish their first non-conference home loss since 2005 and the Lions first win over a current member of the Big East since 1988.

Down three, 85-82, with 1:50 to play, Teel single-handedly took the ball from the Notre Dame guard and streaked down for a lay-in, cutting the lead to 85-84. Then his defense with less than 20 seconds to play forced a five-second call, giving the Lions possession and a chance to win. Junior Larry Davis delivered a perfect pass to sophomore Jarred DuBois, who drilled a three-pointer, giving the Lions the win.

Teel, who is among the nation's leaders with 6.25 assists per game, finished the week averaging 15 points, 6.5 assists, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals. He averaged 13-for-23 from the field (56.5 percent)

The junior from New York is second on the team in points with 13.2 per contest, tops in the WCC in assists with 68, among the leaders in steals with 19 and second on the team in rebounds with 5.5 per game.

Follow the Lions trip to Notre Dame on the special Mutlimedia feature Through A Different Lens, a photo journey from LMU Athletics' photographer Scott Cunningham, who traveled with the team.

The Lions return home for finals week and will not play again until hosting Cal State Bakersfield on Saturday, Dec. 19 at Gersten Pavilion. The game is part of Holiday Doubleheader with the women's team. The women play against Cal Poly at 1 and the men follow at 3:30 p.m. Holiday ticket prices of $15 for lower level chairback, upper level seating will be $10 for adults/$5 for children and seniors. Tickets are good for both games. Order tickets online today.