LINKS: BUY TICKETS | Give to LMU Athletics
LMU on Facebook | LMU on Twitter
LOS ANGELES - LMU men's basketball hit nearly 50 percent from the field and knocked down 11 three-pointers. However, the charity stripe tilted in favor of Santa Clara, lifting them to a 76-72 win over the Lions at Gersten Pavilion on Thursday night.
Santa Clara finished the game 20-for-25 from the free throw line while the Lions went 3-for-6. The Lions hit 11-for-31 (35.5 percent) from three while the Broncos hit 10-for-19 (52.6 percent). Steven Haney Jr. hit five three-pointers for the Lions (11-16, 4-12) while Jared Brownridge hit five for the Broncos (10-17, 6-9).
"The disparity in free throws was the difference," said Head Coach Mike Dunlap. "They hit some shots, specifically Brownridge, in the second half. Some were beautifully contest. It is a credit to his skill."
Brandon Brown led the Lions with 20 points and 10 assists for his first double-double as a Lions. Haney finished with 17 points. Shamar Johnson had 13 points and Marin Mornar had 11 points and six rebounds.
Brownridge led all scorers with 26, scoring 23 points in the second half.
"I like how we continue to play without our best producer on the floor," said Dunlap of leading scorer and rebounder Adom Jacko, who missed his second straight game with a back injury. "Our guys are developing as a group and are responding to difficult situations, and that bodes well for us. Just wish we did a little better job defending in the second half."
The Lions led throughout the first half, taking a 12-point lead early. The Broncos cut it to three at the half, 34-31, and then used a 22-7 run to take a 62-53 lead with 7:07 to play.
The Lions weren't done, as they cut it to a pair on a Tutu lay-up with 2:37 to play, 68-66. The Broncos then led 73-69 after Brownridge free throws with 31 seconds to play.
Haney would hit a three-pointer from the corner to make it a one-point game, 73-72. The Broncos hit just one of two free throws on the next trip, giving the Lions a shot at a win or a tie. Haney's three-pointer was off the mark and Brownridge would hit two more free throws for the final margin.
The Lions will host San Francisco for Family Weekend on Saturday, Feb. 20 at 1 pm. It is the WCC Game of the Week and can be seen on Time Warner Cable SportsNet.
 | 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 |
