LOS ANGELES – Loyola Marymount University men's basketball has 12 wins this season, surpassing last season's total. The Lions (13-2) close out the non-conference portion of their schedule with a 72-44 win over UC Davis (3-9) on Friday night.
 
"Defensively, we were really sharp," said Head Coach Mike Dunlap. "We were well prepared, Derrick Clark did a great scout. I just think we were as prepared for this game as any game so far. We felt bad about the Riverside performance, and no discredit to Riverside, but we knew that we could play better."
 
The Lions only trailed once, 4-0, before taking control the rest of the way. LMU rattled off the next 11 points bookended by a three from Dameane Douglas to kick it off and a three by Joe Quintana to push the Lions up seven. Douglas was a perfect 2-for-2 for five points and Quintana hit his first three threes of the day for 11 total points.

LMU hits their final five field goals of the first half to take a 41-23 lead into the locker room. The Lions shot 58.3 percent (14-for-24) in the first half, and would match that same mark in the second half. The 58.3 percent clip (28-for-48) is the best of the season.
 
UC Davis never got closer than 15 points in the second half, while LMU benefitted from a 19-3 run to stretch it open to a 31 point lead, 75-44.
 
Mattias Markusson shot a perfect 4-for-4 with 10 points in the opening 20 minutes to lead the way, then followed that up with a dozen second half points en route to his career-high 22 points on 8-for-10 shooting and 6-for-6 from the line.
 
James Batemon led all players with a game-high seven assists to go with his 14 points. Erik Johansson finished with a season-best nine points.
 
The Lions open West Coast Conference play after the New Year with a #PCHCUP matchup in Malibu. The game at Pepperdine is set for 7 p.m. on January 3.