LOS ANGELES – Loyola Marymount men's water polo (5-6, 2-1 WWPA) used a defensive effort to shut down Iona  (3-12, 0-4) in a non-conference matchup. LMU benefited from a 6-0 third quarter to blow open the game.
 
The Lions jumped ahead with the game's first goal. Alexandros Athymaritis found Blazo Mitrovic at the 6:42 mark of the period to put LMU on the bboard. The lead held until Iona evened the score with 38 seconds remaining, closing out the period at 1-all.
 
The second quarter was controlled by LMU with the Lions accounting for five of the six goals in the period. Scott Thomas and Christian Huhn connected in the first minute of the quarter for Thomas' first of the day. Mitrovic then converted on back-to-back goals, first a 5-meter conversion followed by an even strength finish to extend the lead to 4-1. With LMU earning the man advantage, Daniel Arellano found Eric Reitmeir for the powerplay goal. After Iona scored to cut it to 5-2, Mitrovic closed out the period with a penalty shot in the final minute of the half for his fourth and the team's sixth.
 
The Lions held Iona scoreless in the third quarter, and extended the lead to double figures with all six goals in the quarter. Within a minute span, Austin Clark capitalized with a powerplay goal, Alexandros Athymaritis scored at even strength, and Daniel Arellano pushed it to a 9-2 advantage. Athymaritis finished his second of the quarter with 2:08 remaining from an assist by Joseph Shaw, who followed it with two goals of his own before the quarter came to a close.
 
Alex Davis found Daniel Roth who opened the fourth quarter with his first of two goals in the quarter. Iona went on their most-prolific offensive outburst of the game, scoring three straight, before Davis finished the game with his second to push LMU ahead to a 14-5 win.
 
Robert Halligan finished with 15 saves in the victory.
 
The Lions will be back in action on Sunday morning for a 10 a.m. game against Navy from Burns Aquatics Center.