Dec. 27, 2009
Box Score
Audio Highlights from LMU Podcast Center
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - LMU used an 18-4 run to start the second half to jump out to a 21-point lead over Sacramento State, and they needed every point as they hung on down the stretch to defeat the Hornets, 82-78, at The Nest in Sacrament, Calif., Sunday afternoon.
Despite the close ending, the Lions led from start to finish as they improve to 7-7 on the season, winning their fourth straight. It is the first four-game win streak for LMU since November 2006. The 2006-07 season was the last time the Lions were at .500 or better in late December of a season. The Hornets fall to 6-8.
"The first three minutes of the first half and the first three minutes of the second half, we did all the fundamental things very well," said Head Coach Max Good. "We were working the ball around, shooting the gaps well, and distributed the ball very well. The other 34 minutes we were not the better team. Thankfully, those stretches were enough, and we earned our third road win."
Jarred DuBois led the Lions with 24 points, including a big pair of free throws with 10 seconds left to give the Lions a two possession lead. Vernon Teel had another big all-around game, scoring 20 points with 10 rebounds and seven assists. It's his second double-double of the season. Drew Viney had his second straight double-double and third of the season with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Kevin Young added 10 points.
"We did a good job defensively early to start the game and the second half," said Good. "We are still learning how to win in every situation, including putting teams away when we have a chance. Bottom line is that we have won four in a row, earned another road win and move to 7-7 on the season. That's a good thing."
LMU started the second half with a 9-0 run, and Teel's three-pointer with 13:42 to play gave LMU their largest lead of the game, 55-34. The Lions seemed to be in control. However, Sacramento State would not go away.
John Dickson, who was one of four players in double figures for the Hornets, hit a put-back and was fouled with 29 seconds to play. He hit the free throw to cut the lead to 77-75. Teel hit just one free throw but the defense held to keep the lead at 78-75. DuBois then hit both free throws with 10 seconds to play, giving LMU an 80-75 lead.
The Hornets weren't done, as Sultan Toles-Bey, who finished with a team-high 17 points, hit a three-pointer from beyond NBA range to cut it to 80-78 with five seconds left. Teel was quickly fouled on the inbound and he drilled both free throws to ice it.
LMU went 63 percent from the free throw line, hitting 19-for-30. The Lions missed the front end of three one-and-one opportunities that helped the Hornets climb back in it.
The Lions out-rebounded the Hornets 48-35 and finished their third straight game holding an opponent to under 40 percent shooting. Sacramento State finished the game hitting 38.5 percent from the field while LMU hit 47.5 percent.
The Lions jumped on the Hornets early, streaking out to a 10-0 lead after a Viney three pointer just three minutes into the contest. They stretched their lead to as many as 15, 28-13, on a three-pointer by Viney with 10:01 to play in the first half.
Sacramento State would fight back, cutting the lead to just a pair, 30-28, thanks to a 15-2 run. The Lions would end the half with a four-point possession - a dunk by Young and two free throws by Viney after a technical foul on the Hornet's bench - to go into the lockerroom up 37-30.
Viney and Young led the Lions with 10 points each in the first stanza.
The Lions return home for the final Holiday Doubleheader with the women. Both teams will host Seattle on Wednesday, Dec. 30. The women will play at 5 p.m., with the men following at 7:30 p.m. Both games can be heard on KXLU 88.9 FM.
