Box Score Nov. 25, 2015 Box Score | Photo Gallery 
LOS ANGELES - Sophomore Joshua Spiers used a career night to lift LMU to an 82-80 overtime win over CSUN during the fifth annual LMU Holiday Classic on Wednesday night at Gersten Pavilion.
The Australian native scored a career-best 24 points, including five of the Lions' nine in overtime, to lift the Lions to their third straight win at home. His previous high was eight against BYU last season as he finished hitting 6-of-10 from three, adding three rebounds and a steal. Juniors Adom Jacko and Brandon Brown added 16 and 15 points, respectively for the Lions (3-2).
Michael Warren led CSUN with 23 points before fouling out. The Matadors had three players foul out but used the free throw line to their advantage, hitting all 25 of their attempts in regulation. Their only two misses came in overtime.
The Lions' defense forced the tempo most the game, creating 22 Matador turnovers, earning 10 steals and holding a 19-14 edge in points off turnovers.
"Our depth really helps us energy wise," said Head Coach Mike Dunlap. "We can really work our defense. We have really worked these guys hard and they really have come together as a unit."
The Lions led for most of the game but back-to-back three-pointers by the Matadors sent the game into overtime. The Lions led by four, 71-67, when Tre Hale-Edmerson hit one from beyond NBA range to make it 71-70 with 11 seconds to play.
After Spiers buried two free throws, Landon Drew hit a three-pointer with two seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime.
"We really held our poise tonight," said Dunlap. "They hit two bombs, only missed two free throws and we kept our composure and found a way to win overtime. That can only be a positive."
It took nearly three minutes for the teams to finally score in overtime. Dawson started the scoring on a jumper in the paint to give the Matadors the 75-73 lead with 2:12 to play.
Spiers then gave the Lions the lead back on his sixth three-pointer of the game, making it 76-75. However, another Drew three-pointer with 1:15 to play gave the lead right back to the Matadors.
The teams traded lay-ups, including CSUN's Zaccary Douglas with 40 seconds to play that gave them an 80-79 lead. Jacko then delivered a pass to Spiers from right around the free throw line and he drained a jumper to give the Lions an 81-80 lead.
LMU's defense would hold and Jacko made one of two free throws for a two-point lead. The Lions would get their 10th steal of the game, the fourth of the game by Brown, to win it.
The Lions head to SE Missouri State on Saturday, Nov. 28 for a 12 pm (PT) tip-off. The game can be heard live on KXLU 88.9 FM.
 | Support LMU's 22 intercollegiate teams and it's student-athletes through scholarships and team support.
Together WE ARE LMU Lions... join the pride today:
Join the Lions Athletic Fund | This is LMU
|
