LOS ANGELES – Back in their home pool, #19 LMU men's water polo (3-9) jumped out early and built on that lead to defeat (RV) George Washington (6-8), 13-5. The win opens a five-game home stand.
 
The game opened with LMU trailing 3-2, with Alexandros Athymaritis scoring twice. The Lions then responded with the final three goals of the first quarter as Luke Chandler, Daniel Roth, and Blazo Mitrovic pushed LMU ahead 5-3.
 
George Washington tied the game at 5-5 in the first four minutes of the second half. The Lions again showed response, with three straight goals to end the half. Roth, Mitrovic and Tyler Harvey each scored roughly a minute apart from each with Harvey's goal coming with 14 seconds to play to send the Lions into halftime with the 8-5 lead.
 
Mitrovic scored three of his game-high five goals in the third quarter, with Roth adding his second penalty goal of the game in the period as well. The Lions entered the final eight minutes of play ahead 12-7.
 
Roth opened the scoring in the final quarter with his fourth goal of the game increasing LMU's lead to 13-7. George Washington scored in the final 1:34 before the Lions held on for the 13-8 win.
 
Robert Halligan made 14 saves in goal, and added two assists and two steals from his position in the cage.

LMU will be back in the pool in just over 24 hours, hosting San Jose State Sunday at 1 p.m.