FULLERTON, Calif. – Outside of an early 5-4 deficit, the Loyola Marymount University men's basketball team led the entire game to defeat Cal State Fullerton, 59-49, on Wednesday and move to 9-1 on the season.
 
Jeffery McClendon picked up a steal and score for LMU's first basket to tie the game at 2-all. McClendon finished with nine points and a team-high two steals.
 
Markusson had both a dunk and an and-1 opportunity in a 31 second span, to put LMU back on top, 8-5 with 14:01 to play. Markusson added in 15 points on an efficient 7-for-9 shooting from the field.
 
After CSUF tied it at 11-11, LMU pushed the lead to 21-13 thanks to the final eight points of the run scored by James Batemon. The senior led all scorers with 20 points.
 
LMU held the Titans to 20.8 percent (5-of-24) shooting in the first half, including 1-for-13 from three. The Lions have allowed just two made threes in back-to-back games, as CSUF finished 2-for-9 from behind the arc.
 
The Lions pushed the lead to as high as 10 points within the first two minutes of the second half, 29-19, but the Titans responded with a 6-0 run with 15:31 on the clock.
 
Batemon completed a three-point play with a baseline spin move to push the lead to a game-high 12 points, 44-32, with 7:51 to play. Batemon was perfect at the line once again, going 7-for-7.
 
The lead grew to as large as 13, with the Lions finishing with a 10-point win. This is the fourth time this season that the Lions have held an opponent to 50 points or less.
 
LMU outscored the Titans 20-7 on points off turnovers.
 
The Lions will have 10 days before their next game, a trip to Portland State on Dec. 15. LMU returns to the Bluff on Dec. 19 for a home showdown with Boise State. All General Admission tickets for that Community Night Game will be only $1.