PROVO, Utah – LMU men's basketball fell behind early and was never able to get the game back into reach on Thursday night. The shorthanded Lions lost to BYU on Thursday night, 79-59.
 
Eli Scott tied the game at 2-2, before BYU responded with a 20-3 run over the next eight and a half minutes.
 
The Lions put a stop to that run with six unanswered of their own, bookended by layups from Joe Quintana and Kwane Marble II.
 
Alex Merkviladze hit his first of two first half threes and Scott followed with a jumper to cut the score down from as high as 17 points to 10. Merkviladze led the Lions with nine first half points and four rebounds.
 
The final seven LMU points of the first half were scored by Jalin Anderson, before the Cougars took a 45-28 lead into intermission.
 
Merkviladze hit a three to open the second half and finished with a game-high 15 points. This is the first game this season, Merkviladze has led the team in scoring.
 
Quintana added a trio of second half threes to finish at 14 points. Scott also scored in double digits and closed his night with a dozen points.
 
LMU only dressed 10 players in the loss at BYU after learning that starting big man Keli Leaupepe would not be able to play against the Cougars.
 
The Lions will host Pacific on Saturday in the final home game of the year. Prior to the game, LMU's senior class will be recognized for their contributions to the program. Eli Scott, Joe Quintana, Ivan Alipiev, and Quentin Jackson, Jr. will all be honored ahead of the 4:30 PM game.