LOS ANGELES – The LMU men's basketball team used a total team effort on Tuesday's opening night of the 2019-20 men's basketball season. The Lions (1-0) saw five players score in double figures in the 105-62 wire-to-wire win.
Ivan Alipiev led all scorers with a career-high 25 points to open his sophomore campaign. Alipiev shot 5-for-7 from long range and added six rebounds.
Doing his damage from the free throw line,
Eli Scott scored 15 points after going 9-for-10 from the charity stripe. In his role as guard, Scott dished out a new career-best eight assists to lead the team.
In his first collegiate game,
Keli Leaupepe shot 7-for-9 from the field for 15 points. Also helping LMU to 62 percent shooting from the field,
Jonathan Dos Anjos shot 6-for-8 for 12 points and
Erik Johansson was a perfect 3-for-3 from three for his nine points.
Junior
Jordan Bell scored 10 points despite falling into early foul trouble.
After leading 48-25 at the half, LMU scored 57 points after intermission thanks 24-for-36 shooting in the final 20 minutes.
The Lions scored 21 points off 21 Westcliff turnovers, and did damage in the paint. LMU outscored the Warriors 50-18 in the key.
Focus now shifts to Saturday night's opponent Nevada. The road test will air on AT&T Sportsnet from Reno. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m.