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LOS ANGELES - Fourth-seed and host LMU used a seven-goal first half to push them to a 10-8 win over fifth-seed Santa Clara in the opening game of the 2014 Western Water Polo Association Men's Championships at the Burns Aquatics Center Friday afternoon.

The Lions scored the final five goals of the second quarter to take a 7-2 lead at the half and then held on as the Broncos scored six goals in the second half. Emanuel Di Stasio led the Lions with three goals while Graham McClone helped the Broncos fight to within two goals, 9-7, with three himself in the second half.

Vuk Cvetkovic and Liam Jennis gave the Lions a 2-1 lead after the first period on back-to-back goal. However, Casidhe McClone tied the game on the Broncos' first possession.

At that point the Lions looked to take control. Di Stasio scored all three of his goals in the second quarter, including his final one with 1:04 to play to make it 7-2 at the half.

Santa Clara answered with the first two of the second half, making it 7-4. Milutin Mitrovic made it 8-4 with 5:$3 to play. The teams would trade out goals to close out the quarter, including Will Grant's 6-on-5 goal with nine seconds left to cut the lead to 9-6.

McClone's goal with 7:37 to play in the game trimmed the margin to a pair, 9-7. However, LMU's defense held, thanks to Dominick Beaudine making four of his 12 saves in the final frame.

The Lions will face No. 2 seed UC Davis in the second semifinal at 1 pm on Saturday. The first semifinal will feature No. 1 UC San Diego taking on No. 6 seed California Baptist at 11:15 am.

Tickets to the 2014 WWPA Championships are on sale online at www.LMULions.com/Tickets.