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.
Â
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.
Â
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.
Â
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.
Â
Scott opened the second half with an and-1 for three of his 18 points.
Â
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.
Â
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.Â
Â
Leuapepe led all players with seven rebounds to go along with his seven points.
Â
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
Â