LOS ANGELES – LMU knocked down free throws late, controlled the ball, and benefitted from a 10-0 second half run to earn a win in the first West Coast Conference game of the season. The Lions (7-8, 1-0 WCC) topped San Diego (7-9, 0-1 WCC), 64-58, in the first game of the new year.
 
Seven different Lions scored LMU's first eight field goals, as Keli Leaupepe was the only to score twice in the first ten minutes of the game as he scored consecutive layups. All nine Lions to play sunk at least one field goal.
 
7-0 run to tie the score for the first time capitalized by a putback, second chance layup by Ivan Alipiev. The sophomore hit double-digits for the 11^th time this season with his 10 points.
 
Jordan Bell's layup to open the second half gave LMU a brief lead, 32-31, before San Diego built went back up by as much as eight points.

LMU strung together 10 unanswered points to take their second lead of the game, 52-49, with 11:57 to play in the game. Alipiev knocked down the corner three to push the Lions ahead.
 
Parker Dortch broke a 52-all deadlock with four consecutive free throws down the stretch. Dortch knocked down 8-of-10 free throws for his 12 points.
 
Bell added a breakaway dunk and the final two free throws of the game to lead the Lions with a team-high 13 points. The Lions benefited from a dozen fast break points compared to just two from the Toreros.
 
LMU shot 78.9 percent (15-for-19) from the line, which ties for the team's second-best mark on the season. San Diego became the first team to not miss a free throw against the Lions this season, but only attempted six from the line, the fewest makes and attempts for an opponent this season.
 
LMU's 13-for-15 free shooting in the second half made up for the 1-for-11 mark from long range after intermission.
 
A disciplined approach for LMU led to a season low six turnovers and 14 fouls committed. The Lions outscored San Diego 14-3 in points off turnovers.
 
The team will now travel to Provo, Utah to face BYU on Saturday. The Cougars were off on Thursday night and their first WCC game will be against the Lions.