Feb. 20, 2012

LOS ANGELES -- LMU sophomore Anthony Ireland continues to have a breakthrough second season with the Lions, adding to it with his second West Coast Conference Player of the Week honor of the season after leading the Lions to a pair of big wins last week.

The Lions earned a 75-60 win at No. 16 Saint Mary's on Feb. 15, and two nights later, a 61-53 win over Valparaiso in the Sears BracketBusters. Ireland averaged 17.5 points on 57.9 percent shooting, while adding 5.5 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game on the week.

He had 16 points, seven assists and three rebounds in the road win over Saint Mary's, giving the 16th-ranked Gaels their first home loss and improving the Lions to 7-1 in the road in the WCC and 9-3 overall the road, its best road record in two decades.

In the BracketBusters game, he led all scorers with 19 points and eight rebounds, while adding five assists. He finished 11-for-19 from the field, including 3-for-6 from long distance and 10-for-13 from the charity stripe.

At 18-10 on the season, the Lions have their best overall record since going going 18-9 after 27 games in 1995-96.

The Lions will conclude the regular season and WCC play with a key two-game home stand this weekend, starting with San Diego on Thursday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available online through the LMU Ticket Office.

2011-12 WCC MEN'S BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Nov. 14: Ashley Hamilton, Loyola Marymount
Nov. 21: Kevin Pangos, Gonzaga
Nov. 28: Evan Roquemore, Santa Clara
Dec. 5: Noah Hartsock, BYU
Dec. 12: Angelo Caloiaro, San Francisco
Dec. 19: Elias Harris, Gonzaga
Dec. 26: Kevin Pangos, Gonzaga
Jan. 2: Brandon Davies, BYU
Jan. 9: Rob Jones, Saint Mary's
Jan. 16: Matthew Dellavedova, Saint Mary's
Jan. 23: Anthony Ireland, Loyola Marymount
Jan. 30: Perris Blackwell, San Francisco
Feb. 6: Brandon Davies, BYU
Feb. 13: Kevin Pangos, Gonzaga
Feb. 20: Anthony Ireland, Loyola Marymount