MORAGA, Calif. –
Eli Scott scored LMU's final 10 points as the Lions tried to mount a second half comeback for the second time this season against Saint Mary's. The Lions (9-18, 3-10 WCC) brought it within four in the final minute of regulation, before the Gaels (22-6, 9-4 WCC) won the game, 57-51.
Lazar Zivanovic banked in a three to open the scoring and give LMU and early 3-0 lead less than a minute into the action. After four unanswered by the Gaels,
Keli Leaupepe put the Lions back on top for the final time in the first half, 5-4.
Eight straight SMC points later in the half gave the home team their largest lead of the half, 23-9, with 9:08 on the clock. The Lions responded with the next seven points, highlighted by a breakaway dunk by
Parker Dortch to put an exclamation point on the run.
After Saint Mary's build their lead back up to double-digits, LMU went on a 7-0 run to cut it to a 32-26 game with less than a minute before intermission. A breakaway basket by the Gaels with two seconds remaining made it a 34-26 game at the break.
Leaupepe opened the second half with another interior layup to give him double-figure points to that point. SMC answered with a 7-1 to build their lead back up to a dozen.
The Lions scored seven-straight points to make it a 41-36 game with 8:44 to play. With eight of the next 10 points, Saint Mary's increased their lead back to 11 points with 3:18 remaining.
A converted Leaupepe And-1 cut the score to single digits, and an individual 6-0 run by Scott brought the score within four, 51-47, with 1:03 to play. Leaupepe scored 15 points and tied
Jordan Bell with a game-high seven rebounds.
The Gaels hit their free throws down the stretch, despite Scott scoring 16 of his team-high 22 points in the second half, to earn the win. SMC went 16-for-16 from the line in the game.
The Lions outscored Saint Mary's in the paint, 30-20.
LMU's next opponent will be Portland on Saturday. The Lions beat Portland, 77-65, on Jan. 23. The game will tip at 7 p.m. from the Chiles Center.
