LOS ANGELES - For the third straight game, the LMU men's basketball team (1-2) never trailed in the first half. Despite holding a double-digit advantage, a quick run by Colorado State (3-1) after the break put the Rams ahead for the rest of the night taking the game 72-63.
 
The Lions opened the game with back-to-back layups scored by Eli Scott and Deovaunta Williams. After CSU tied it at 4-all, LMU scored seven unanswered with three different Lions hitting field goals in the run.
 
Ivan Alipiev knocked down a three to push the lead to 20-6 and cap a 9-0 for LMU's largest lead of the first half. The Lions scored 24 points in the paint in the first half, compared to just four for the Rams, and took a 35-28 lead into the locker room. Alipiev finished in double figures for the third-consecutive game this season with 11.
 
Following halftime, CSU scored 12 unanswered to open the second half before Erik Johansson put the ball on the floor and went inside for a pullup jump shot.
 
After the Rams built up their lead to nine, Parker Dortch helped contribute to the LMU comeback hopes by hitting LMU's only three of the half to cut the deficit to 58-54 with 4:33 to play. Dortch tied his career high with seven points and shared game-high totals with seven boards.
 
The Lions played the fouling game, but could not cut it to closer than those four points before time expired.
 
Scott shot 7-for-11 to lead the team with 16 points and added a game-high seven assists.
 
The Lions will depart for the Bahamas this upcoming week, playing three games in Bimini for the Junkanoo Jam tournament.