Dec. 6, 2010

In their first game at home in 20 days to kick-start a four-game homestand, LMU used its most proficient game of the season to claim a 19-point win over Cal Poly to move to 4-5 on the season as they head into game two of the stretch against Sacramento State (2-5) on Tuesday, Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m. The game is part of a basketball doubleheader with the women, who play Cal State Fullerton starting at 5 p.m. Both games will be on Lions' All-Access and can be heard on KXLU 88.9 FM.

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INSIDE THE LIONS
They began their four-game homestand with their fourth in a row against the Big West Conference this season, which started and ended with Cal Poly (L, 55-48 on Nov. 24; W, 67-48 on Dec. 4) and sandwiched in between was Long Beach State (W, 80-77 ot on Nov. 27) and UC Santa Barbara (L, 77-67 on Dec. 1). They will play their fifth Big West opponent, the fourth on the road, when they head to UC Irvine on Dec. 30 in the final game before conference starts. The Lions are coming off the 19-point win over Cal Poly where they were once again without four scholarship players due to injury, including leading scorer Drew Viney (calf) and three-year starter Jarred DuBois (foot). Viney has showed why he is a Preseason All-WCC pick, once again leading the team in points (16.1), rebounds (7.7) and blocks (1.6), which is ranked 4th, 2nd and 4th, respectively, 8 in the WCC entering the week. He is coming off his sixth double-double of his career, going for 18 points and 12 rebounds against Long Beach State.

EFFICENCY
In the Lions latest game, a 67-48 win over Cal Poly on Dec. 4, the Lions had their most efficent game of the season. Their defense posted a season-low 48 points, holding Cal Poly to 36.2 percent from the field on just 47 shots, also a season low. Helping propel their offense was also a season-low six turnovers. The lack of turnovers helped make the most of their opportunities. In their first meeting against Cal Poly, the Lions scored 48 points on 50 attempts while turning the ball over 16 times. In the second meeting, they scored 67 points on 50 attempts.

MAKING THE MOST OF IT
With the injuries, the Lions had to change their starting line-up for the fifth time only eight games into the season, and with it came fifth-year senior Larry Davis' chance to start for the first time since Jan. 16. And he made the most of it. He equalled a career-high with 27 points in 37 minutes at UC Santa Barbara on Dec. 1, hitting 8-for-13 from the field and 6-for-7 from the three-point line. It is the most three-pointers made in a single game since Jarred DuBois went 6-for-10 from long range as a freshman against Santa Clara on Feb. 14, 2009. Davis is averaging 7.4 points per contest, hitting 9-for-21 from long range with nine steals.

DOUBLE-DOUBLES
The Lions had three players with double-doubles in the win over Long Beach State on Saturday. In addition to Drew Viney, Vernon Teel had his eighth career double-double with a game-high 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Ashley Hamilton had his second double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Taking a quick look back, it is the first time since the record-setting game of Jan. 5, 1991, the Lions have had that many players with a double-double. In that game, LMU and US International set the NCAA Division I record for points as LMU won 186-140. Richard Petruska had 28 points and 13 rebounds, Terrell Lowery and 34 points and 16 assists, and Greg Walker had 10 points and 10 assists. A year prior, the Lions had four player with a double-double in a 145-102 win over Nevada on Nov. 25, 1989. Per Stumer had 10 points, 10 boards, Bo Kimble went for 31 and 10, Hank Gathers had 28 and 17, while Lowery had 10 points and 10 assists. As for Teel, he is now ranked 19th all-time with his career double-doubles, tied with Greg Hunter and one behind Johnny Brown, Corey Gaines and Keith Smith.

ON THE BOARDS
In 2009-10, the Lions had a rebound margin of -0.6 and out-rebounded opponents in just 13 of the 34 games. Although early, that trend has reversed in a big way. The Lions have not been outrebounded this season, going for double-digit rebound margin in all but three of those games, incluing a +16 margin in the win over Cal Polyt on Saturday. This season also includes a 52-26 rebounding edge against La Sierra, the most team rebounds since 54 against UNLV on Jan. 3, 2001. The Lions are the best in the WCC, which is showing to be a reboudning league early this season. The Lions are +11.1 heading into game No. 10 as seven of the eight teams in the WCC have a positive rebound margin. Drew Viney leads the Lions with 7.7 rebounds per game while Vernon Teel is second at 7.0 and freshman Godwin Okonji is third at 6.1.

INJURIES
The past two seasons, injuries have plagued the Lions in non-confernece and they have reared their ugly head once again. One of those injuries from last season, the ACL of Edgar Garibay, has carried over to this season as he missed the last two games due to soreness in his knee. He is doubtful for the week. Ayodeji Egbeyemi injured his ankle against Rider and was sidelined two to four weeks. He is in week two and began workouts this week, but is doubtful for the game against Sacramento State. In that Rider game, Drew Viney suffered a deep bruise to his calf, and despite playing against Cal Poly and Long Beach State, he did not play against UCSB and game two against the Mustangs. He is questionable for the game against Sacramento State. Junior Jarred DuBois has suffered through an injury to his right foot since the start of the 2009-10 season, and it has been compounded by ankle injuries throughout his career. The injury has returned and he first missed the game against Long Beach State and is out indefinately.

GAME #10
The Lions finally return home last week and continues a four-game homestand. Game #10 of the 2010-11 season will feature a full slate of activities, including a doubleheader with the women. The game will be broadcast on Lions' All-Access and both games will also be on KXLU 88.9 FM. A full slate of GameDay activities are slated, including the Hannon Pregame Tailgate Party, which begins at 5 p.m. During the game, the Lions will honor the 2010 LMU Men's Water Polo Team, who won their fourth straight Western Water Polo Association championship, their eighth in the last decade. For more, visit LMULions.com/tickets/gameday.