STOCKTON, Calif. – Following a tight first half of action, several extended runs by both teams in the second half of play led the University of Pacific to a 58-49 lead over LMU. The Tigers (5-1, 2-0 WCC) closed the game on an 11-1 run to take the game from the Lions (6-4, 1-1 WCC).
After consecutive baskets to open the game,
Jalin Anderson pushed LMU's lead to 7-3 with a distance three pointer three minutes into the game.
The Lions held the lead until Pacific tied the game at 9-all.
Eli Scott and
Dameane Douglas responded with back-to-back buckets to earn the lead back with 9:38 to play in the first half.
Pacific took their first lead of the game on a pair of free throws, 17-15, but Scott went on a personal 7-2 run to push LMU back on top. The Lions carried a one-point advantage at the half, 24-23.
LMU used a 12-2 run and eight unanswered points early in the second half to build a nine-point advantage.
Pacific then responded with 13-straight of their own to build a 42-38 lead.
LMU scored the next seven to retake the lead. Douglas drove to the rim for a layup,
Ivan Alipiev hit a go-ahead three, and Scott converted a paint basket and drew the foul.
From that point, Pacific closed the game on 16-4 run. LMU's only basket in that stretch was
Keli Leaupepe's three-pointer with 3:22 on the clock to give the Lions a 48-47 lead.
Pacific entered the game as the nation's leader in turnover committed at only 7.5 per game, but LMU was able to turn the Tigers over 22 times.
The Lions will return to Los Angeles for a trio of home games next week over a five-day span. LMU will host San Diego on Tuesday, followed by Saint Mary's on Thursday and Santa Clara on Saturday.
All three games will be produced for television. Additional game information will be available on LMULions.com