PORTLAND, Ore. – Keli Leaupepe topped his previous career high set in January against Portland with 25 points in his final road conference game of the season. LMU men's basketball (10-18, 4-10 WCC) never trailed against the Pilots (9-20, 1-13 WCC), earning a 66-58 win.
 
Erik Johansson and Seikou Sisoho Jawara combined for nine points out of the gates to give LMU a 9-4 lead.
 
Portland cut their deficit to one on two occasions, but Leaupepe scored 12 of LMU's final 16 points of the half to take a 27-18 lead into the half. The 18 points allowed in the first half is second fewest by the Lions this season.
 
Leaupepe continued his scoring terror with LMU's first 7 points of the second half en route to his career high.
 
Johansson hit another three at the 14:43 mark to spark a 9-2 run for the Lions. The senior finished with 12 points on 3-for-5 shooting.
 
Portland brought themselves within one with 7:50 remaining, but LMU responded with six unanswered.
 
Free throws pushed the Lions up double-digits in the final minute, before LMU closed out for the eight point win.
 
Eli Scott grabbed a dozen rebounds to go along with his 14 points for his sixth double-double of the season and 13^th of his career. Scott dished out a game-high four assists.
 
The Lions outrebounded Portland, 38-21, and were plus-11 in bench points.

LMU's remaining two games before the conference tournament will be played at home, with Pacific coming to Gersten Pavilion on Thursday and the regular season coming to a close against San Francisco.