LOS ANGELES -- LMU Sports Network talked with Joshua Spiers heading into the final non-conference match-up on Friday night against Jacksonville State at Gersten Pavilion. The game is Military Appreciation Night as military personnel get two free tickets to the game. The Lions (6-4) will host a school from the state of Alabama for just the second time in school history. The Gamecocks (3-9) are from Jacksonville, Ala.

LMULIONS.COM GAMEDAY:

THE MATCH-UP
• The Lions have played a school from the state of Alabama just four times in its history and Jacksonville State's trip to Gesten Pavilion will be just the second by a school from the state of Alabama... One of the Lions more famous games came against the University of Alabama, a 62-60 win in the NCAA West Regionals to advance to the Elite Eight on Mar. 23, 1990... The Gamecocks are 3-9 on the season, dropping their last four contests, including a 63-60 home setback to Alabama State on Dec. 13... Malcolm Drumwright leads the team with 15.1 ppg while Erik Durham has hit 27 three-pointers to average 13.4 ppg... The Gamecocks football team is in the FCS National Semifinals on Saturday.

GAMEDAY
• During the stretch of home games this holiday season, LMU Athletics and the LAX Community Relations Division have partnered to help support the Bob Hope USO. During every game throughout the holiday season, fans are asked to donate new, travel-sized personal care items for our military. Such items include toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant, sunscreen, shaving cream and shampoo. Collection bins will be located in the lobby of Gersten Pavilion at all men's and women's basketball home games through Dec. 23. The Lions return home to finish non-conference play on Military Appreciation Night, Friday, Dec. 18 at 6 pm against Jacksonville State. Military Personnel get two free tickets to the game. Contact the LMU Ticket office for more information.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
• As of Dec. 15, LMU leads the West Coast Conference in free throw shooting, ranking 14th in the nation at 76.3 percent... The Lions also lead the WCC in turnover margin at +4.20, ranking 25th in the nation.. and 58th in assist-to-turnover ratio at 1.32...They lead the league and rank 41st in the nation forcing 16.1 turnovers per game, while ranking second in the WCC in steals per game and 49th nationally at 8.1 per game... the 81 total steals is 37th nationally... The Lions are ranked third in the WCC in assists with 15.7 per game... LMU also leads the league in offensive rebounds at 13.1 per game... Junior Brandon Brown is 26th at 6.0 apg, ranking fifth in the WCC, while sitting 21st nationally in total assists with 60... Steven Haney leads the WCC and is 65th nationally with 2.8 three-pointers per game, 18th nationally in three-point attempts with 79 and 51st in total three-pointers made at 28.0.

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