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MORAGA, Calif. - In a game that featured 13 lead changes and ties, LMU couldn't overcome a late first-half push by Saint Mary's as they used 11 three-pointers to earn a 68-54 win at McKeon Pavilion on Thursday night in West Coast Conference action.

Senior Godwin Okonji led the Lions with 14 points, adding four rebounds, two assists and three steals. Fellow senior Ayodeji Egbeyemi added 10 points while playing just 11 minutes due to cramps. The Lions (6-16, 2-8) committed just eight turnovers and held a 13-6 edge in points off turnovers.

The Gaels (17-4, 9-1) earned six of their 11 three-pointers form senior Kerry Carter as his 18 points led all scorers. Brad Waldow added 14 and Aaron Bright had 13 for Saint Mary's, who finished the game shooting 50 percent from the field and 47.8 percent from three (11-for-23).

The Lions shot 40.7 percent, hitting 7-for-21 from three. The Lions had a 20 assists on 22 field goals. SMC went 9-for-12 from the charity stripe, while LMU was just 3-for-3.

"Last two minutes of the first half was a big difference," said Head Coach Mike Dunlap. "We did not good care of the ball and got a little impatient on offense. We had a little bit of a hammer but gave them a push their late that really changed things."

Defense was the key early as the Lions held a 13-0 edge in points off turnovers in the first half alone, helping them to a 28-22 lead after David Humphries completed a three-point lead with 6:22 to play.

"Godwin played exdrodinary defense tonight, facing Waldow one-on-one," said Dunlap on Okonji, who held Waldow, the league's second-best scorer, six below his average and four below his rebound average. "About as good as can do against a player the caliber of Waldow in their bym. It was not surprising. Godwin is that good."

Evan Payne then gave the Lions a 30-25 lead with 4:21 to go on a jumper near the Gaels' bench.

However, the Gaels went on a 10-2 run to close the half, including a Treaven Duffy three-pointer with 22 seconds left to make it 35-32.

Right out of the locker room, Egbeyemi tied the game with a three-pointer, 35-35. From there the Gaels went on a 7-0 run, capped by an Aaron Bright lay-in that made the overall run 17-5. LMU would cut the lead to four but would get no closer.

"Carter got us," said Dunlap. "They started driving on us and we didn't do a good job in rotation. And being a senior he made us pay. Evan Payne had an off night, credit Saint Mary's. We also had some pretty good looks that you have to hit in this gym. We also were playing a little short handed with Deji banged up a little and David in foul trouble. We have a thin margin."

The Lions complete their four-game road swing when they travel to Pacific for the WCC Game of the Week on Saturday, Jan. 31 at 1 pm.