JACKSONVILLE, FL – LMU men's basketball flipped a 17-point deficit into a six-point win on Monday to finish 1-1 in the Jacksonville Classic by Fabletics. The Lions shot 50 percent or better in each half to knock off Southern Methodist University, 76-70.
 
The Mustangs held two 17-point leads in the game, once ahead 24-7 with 12:17 to play in the first half and again leading 27-10 with 11:53 to play in the opening half.
 
With LMU down 13 with 7:37 on the clock, the Lions went on a 9-0 run. Eli Scott and Joe Quintana hit back-to-back threes, then Kwane Marble II converted an and-1 to bring the game to two possessions, 34-30, with 5:18 to play in the first. Quintana led all scorers with 24 points after hitting 5-for-8 threes.
 
The Mustangs built the lead back up to nine, but Cam Shelton hit a shot at the buzzer to make the score 45-38 at the half.
 
Scott opened the second half with an and-1 for three of his 18 points.
 
LMU took the lead, for the first time since Keli Leaupepe's layup at 2-0, with another Leaupepe layup to make it 50-49 at the 15:21 mark. SMU took it back on the next possession, but a dunk by Dameane Douglas with 13:43 to play gave LMU the lead for good. Douglas scored 10 points for the first time this season.
 
Scott and Quintana teamed up down the stretch, with each hitting double-figures in the second half alone. LMU hit all 11 free throws in the game, including going 7-for-7 in the second half and down the stretch. 
 
Leuapepe led all players with seven rebounds to go along with his seven points.
 
The Lions return home for the Thanksgiving week and will play back at home on Saturday, Nov. 27 against Prairie View A&M before quickly turning around for a Monday night home