LOS ANGELES – Following a three-game home stand last week, LMU men's basketball returns on the road to take on Gonzaga for the first time this season. Thursday night's will be the first matchup this season between the two programs after the scheduled New Year's Day conference opener was postponed.

LMU enters the game following a 2-1 week, earning home wins over Portland and Pepperdine before falling to Saint Mary's. In the pair of wins, LMU was lifted by all-around team play. Eli Scott recorded two double doubles and averaged over 20 points and 10 rebounds in the two games, Kwane Marble II and Alex Merkviladze each recorded double-digits games during the week for the first time in their LMU careers, Joe Quintana knocked down 10 three pointers in the wins, and Cam Shelton showed a balanced attack with his 12.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, and 4.0 apg.
 
Following a drop off on Saturday against the Gaels, the Lions will look to rebound against one of the toughest teams to play against in the country. Gonzaga has rolled through conference play of late and is +27.0 in scoring over their WCC opponents in the first four games. Five Zags are averaging double-digit points since January began.
 
The two teams met just once last season as well. After the initial meeting was postponed in early February 2021, the league shuffled dates for the final week of the season and paired the Lions and Zags up to close the regular season in Spokane before heading to the WCC Championships in Las Vegas. LMU cut Gonzaga's lead to just six points in the second half in that game as Keli Leaupepe hit a three. The Bulldogs built the lead back to double-digits and took the game. Scott posted 20 points and 11 rebounds in defeat.
 
Thursday night's game will tip at 8:00 PM on CBS Sports Network.
 
In addition to the television broadcast, KXLU 88.9 will broadcast the audio of the game on radio.