Feb. 10, 2011

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LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Gonzaga used an early first half push to take a double-digit lead, did it again in the second half and despite two rallies to erase those leads, LMU couldn't recover as the Zags posted a 67-57 victory at Gersten Pavilion Thursday night.

Larry Davis led all scorers with 18 points. Vernon Teel added 10.

Four players finished in double figures for the Zags, led by Steven Gray with 15 points. Marquise Carter and Mangisto Arop added 11.

The teams combined for 39 turnovers, 20 by Gonzaga (16-9, 6-3) while the Lions (9-16, 1-9) had 19, 13 coming in the first half.

"Turnovers really hurt us early," said Head Coach Max Good. "For whatever reason, we just could get the handle early and it put us on our heals."

Gonzaga used 60 percent shooting (9-for-15) early to take a 14-point lead less than nine minutes in the game. The Lions would work the lead down to just a pair, 29-27, with 3:09 to play on a three-point play by Edgar Garibay.

The Zags would go on an 8-0 run to work the lead back to 10 and go into the lockerroom up 37-28. The Bulldogs opened the second frame on a 7-2 run to work the lead back to 14 once again, 44-30.

However, like they did in the first half, defense led the way for a rally down the stretch, holding the Zags to just five field goals in the second half.

"We did a better job in the second half of taking care of the ball and using our defense to fuel our offense," said Good. "We did a good job on their two main guys in Sacre and Grey. If you would have told me that we would hold them to a combined 6-for-22 from the field on the game, I would like my chances."

Both teams shot just 25 percent in the second half, Gonzaga hitting just 5-for-20. The Lions went 8-for-32. The difference came at the free throw line as Goznaga went 20-for-26 in the half and finished 25-for-34 (73.5 percent). LMU finished the game hitting 15-for-19 (78.9 percent).

The Lions would cut the lead down to four, 52-48, with 5:02 to play on Ashley Hamilton's lay-in. They would get it to three, 54-51, on three free throws from Davis, with 4:26 to play.

A three-point play by Gray on the next possession pushed the lead back to six, 57-51, with 4:05 on the clock. Teel would hit two free throws to cut the lead to four again, 57-53, 14 seconds later.

Gonzaga would score six straight to pull away.

"We are playing everyone tough, but we just can't seem to get over the hump," said Good.

The Lions continue their final homestand of the season with Family Weekend on Saturday, Feb. 12 as they take on Portland at 3 p.m. The Hannon Tailgate starts at 1 p.m. The game can be seen on Fox Sports West and can be heard on KXLU 88.9 FM.

- GO LIONS -