Box Score Feb. 25, 2017

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LOS ANGELES - It has been a season defined at the buzzer and the Cardiac Lions did it again to end the regular season. LMU men's basketball earned their third straight win, defeating Pacific, 67-66, thanks to yet another defensive stand on Saturday night in Stockton, Calif.

Junior Petr Herman logged his program record-tying seventh block with 1.2 seconds left, helping the Lions (15-14, 8-10) hold Pacific (10-21, 4-14) with just one field goal in the final five minutes. It was the Lions 13th game of the season decided in the final 10 seconds. They improve to 6-7 in those games.

Brandon Brown, who gave the Lions the lead for good hitting a runner with 26 seconds left, led the Lions with 24 points, three assists and three steals. Stefan Jovanovic added 14 points. Herman added 10 points with five rebounds to go with his seven blocks. Anthony Townes had 22 points to lead Pacific.

The Lions held Pacific to 40.7 percent from the field, forcing them into 15 turnovers on nine steals with nine total team blocks. LMU shot just 38.8 percent from the floor, hitting just 5-for-19 from the three-point line (26.3 percent). However, the Lions went out of character and relied on their free throws, hitting 24-for-32 (75 percent).

In a game that featured 16 lead changes and nine ties, it was back-and-forth throughout and the Lions trailed at the break, 34-29. They would trail by six, 37-31, just over two minutes into the second frame. Like they did Thursday, a big second half run turn the tide. LMU posted a 17-7 edge over the next five minutes, taking a 48-44 lead on a Brown three-pointer.

Both teams would go into scoring droughts, and Pacific would tie it, 57-57, with 5:49 to play. Then 49 seconds later, Bowles capitalized on a three-point play to give Pacific a 60-57 lead. From there, the Lions' defense clamped down and thanks to free throws the game would feature eight lead changes.

Trailing 64-63, Tuach hit the Lions first field goal in over five minutes to give them a 65-64 lead with 1:10 on the clock. The Tigers answered right back with what would be their only field goal the last five minutes to regain the lead at 66-65.

After LMU forced a missed three-pointer, Brown would drive the lane and hit the runner for the games 16th lead change. Herman would then get a block on a Townes shot that went out of bounds with 1.2 left. The Lions then forced Ray Bowles' into an off balanced three-pointer that feel short for the win.

GAMEDAY STORYLINES

• It was the 13th game this season that came down to the final 10 seconds and the Lions improved to 6-7 in those games. They are now 4-3 in one-point games.

• In holding Pacific to 66 points, it was the 15th time this season the Lions held an opponent under 70 points, improving to 12-3 in those games. They also improve to 14-2 on the season when holding opponents to under 45 percent from the field.

• It was Brown's third game winner of the season. He hit the winner against Colorado State and at Portland.

• Since earning the start against Gonzaga, Herman has 17 blocks in the five games since. He tied the record held by Silvester Kainga against Cal State Fullerton on Dec. 2, 1998.

FROM COACH DUNLAP

"Our defense was stingy again. This team continues to show growth. They have all season, and we found another way to survive and win. It speaks to our depth and ability for everyone to contribute."

"Free throws. Last game of the season, we find our free throws. Petr had seven blocks, and I couldn't be happier for him. Again, that shows our depth. It has been a strength of ours all season. Stefan came out and got us 15 off the bench, and Brandon. Can't speak enough of his effort. He shook off a very disappointing game for him Thursday and came back and drilled the game winner."

"Our defense once again really stepped up. We continue to find ways to keep fighting. This team has really come together."

GAMEDAY PHOTOS

UP NEXT

The Lions travel to the 2017 WCC Championships in Las Vegas and have earned the sixth seed. They will face third-seed BYU on Saturday, March 4 at 1 pm.