LAS VEGAS – LMU held the undefeated Utah State Aggies to a season-low 31 percent (4-for-13) shooting from three but pulled away in the second half to defeat the Lions, 79-67.
 
Cam Shelton scored 23 first half points on 8-for-11 shooting to carry the Lions into intermission with a three-point lead. Shelton opened the game with a layup and continued to provide the offensive spark for the Lions.
 
LMU took a 32-19 lead with 6:21 to play in the first half as part of an 8-0 run. Shelton sparked it with his second three in as many possessions before Justin Ahrens added three more of his own and Keli Leaupepe scored at the rim.
 
The lead shrunk as Utah State went on a 9-0 run of their own, which was part of a larger 13-1 run to make it a one-point game with 2:35 remaining in the half.
 
Shelton scored LMU's final six points of the half to give the Lions a 39-36 lead at the break.
 
LMU held four-point leads three different times in the second half, with one coming on a three rom Leaupepe at the 18:37 mark and another coming from a three from Chance Stephens with 16:12 to play.
 
Utah State then took the lead over the 10:05 with an extended 23-6 run.
 
A three by Jalin Anderson cut the deficit to eight with 4:13 to play, but the Lions could not cut into the deficit any further. Anderson finished as LMU's second leading scorer with 13 points behind Shelton's 25.
 
Leaupepe scored nine, with Ahrens and Alex Merkviladze adding six points apiece.
 
The Aggies doubled-up LMU 40-20 in points in the paint and outscored the Lions 17-3 in fast break points. LMU hit seven threes at a 41 percent clip.
 
LMU will close out the non-conference portion of the schedule with two final home games. The Lions host Cleveland State on Dec. 18 and Tulsa on Dec. 21.

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