LOS ANGELES – The LMU men's basketball team fought back with a chance to send the game to overtime on Saturday night after trailing by double digits. The Lions (6-8) dropped their final non-conference game of the season to Morgan State (6-8), 74-71.
 
The Lions opened the game with the first two threes to take a 6-0 lead off made triples by Seikou Sisoho Jawara and Ivan Alipiev.
 
LMU's six-point lead evaporated when the Bears scored 10 unanswered points that turned into an 18-3 run over a six-minute stretch in the first half. Morgan State led 29-20 with 5:28 remaining in the opening half. Jonathan Dos Anjos cut the deficit to single digits with a made three on the final possession of the half to make it a 40-32 game at intermission.
 
The Lions opened the second half on a 12-4 run to tie the score at 44-all at the 12:16 mark.
 
Despite tying the score, the Lions could never get over the mark to take a lead. Erik Johansson scored 14 of his team-high 17 points in the second half to keep pace for the Lions, including three free-throws after a shooting foul with 1:08 to play to cut it to a 63-62 game.
 
Troy Baxter came up with big shot after big shot for the Bears, and finished with a game-high 27 points, the second most for an opponent against LMU this season.
 
Morgan State split free throws on their final two trips to the line, giving LMU a final chance at overtime. Jordan Bell secured the defensive rebound off a second free throw attempt and launched it from the opposite cylinder. The ball traveled the length of the court, hitting the front rim and falling off short to end the game. Bell grabbed 10 rebounds for the first time in his career.
 
Four Lions scored in double figures. Erik Johansson and Jonathan Dos Anjos each finished a point off their career-highs with 17 and 11, respectively. Alipiev added 15 points and Eli Scott scored 10.
 
Conference play opens at home as LMU hosts San Diego on Jan. 2 for a 7 p.m. WCC battle.