Jan. 21, 2010

Box Score

PORTLAND, Ore. - LMU featured their eighth different line-up of the season due to a rash of injuries and they never found rhythm as Portland jumped out to an early lead and never looked back for a 79-39 win at the Chiles Center on Thursday night in West Coast Conference action.

The Lions couldn't get anything going as they finished just 11-for-52 from the field (21.2 percent) and 9-for-20 from the free throw line. Portland finished 27-for-51 (52.9 percent) and improves to 11-7 on the year and 2-2 in the WCC. LMU falls to 10-10 and 1-3 in conference play.

"Not sure why we even came into the arena as we didn't show up on the floor," said Head Coach Max Good. "We couldn't do anything and showed absolutely no toughness. We got worked in every area on the floor. Injuries or not, we have to be tougher."

Sophomore Jarred DuBois became the Lions' fourth starter to miss a game due to injury, sitting due to dehydration that had him in a Portland hospital for fluids on Wednesday afternoon. He was at the game but held out as still recovers. Ashley Hamilton then missed the entire second half due to an knee strain suffered when he hit the floor.

In addition, both Viney (shin) and Davis (achillies tendon) missed the entire week of practice due to their injuries. Both did play.

However, Viney returned to the line-up and was the only offense the Lions could muster as he finished with 18 points. No other Lion had more than five points. Luke Sikma led Portland with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Portland outrebounded LMU 40-31.

In the win against Santa Clara, the Lions hit their first eight shots, started with a 10-0 lead and led by as many as 27-6 early. It was the exact opposite start at Portland as they fell down 10-0, started 0-for-3 from the field with four turnovers in the first five possessions.

The Lions finished with 20 turnovers, leading to 25 points for the Pilots. The Lions had just five points on the 14 Portland turnovers.

Viney broke the run when he hit a three-pointer with 15:26 to play in the opening half. The Lions finished the first half with 13 turnovers that led to 12 Portland points, which also happened to be the margin at the break as the Pilots led 33-21.

In second half the Pilots got three straight three-pointers from Jared Stohl and the Lions never could get closer.

LMU heads to Spokane, Wash., to take on Gonzaga at 5 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 23.