MALIBU – LMU men's basketball took the first of two PCH Cup matchups this season, defeating Pepperdine at Firestone Fieldhouse, 68-60. All five starters scored in double-digits in the win.
 
The Lions opened the game with a quick 7-2 lead as Dominick Harris knocked down a three fourteen seconds into the game and Keli Leaupepe followed with a pair of layups.
 
Pepperdine clawed back to tie it at 7-all before a 16-2 run by the Lions gave LMU a 23-9 lead with 11:12 showing on the clock. Aside from a three from Justin Wright, a jumper from Leaupepe, and a basket by Lars Thiemann, the remaining nine points of the run came at the free throw line.
 
The lead grew to 16 on two separate occasions in the first half, with both following a pair of made free throws from Lars Thiemann. 
 
LMU took a 40-27 lead into the locker room at the break with Leaupepe, Harris, and Thiemann each scoring in double figures over the first 20 minutes.
 
The lead grew to 19 in the second half as Will Johnston started and ended a 9-3 run with made threes. The first make of that sequence was a four-point play after Johnston was fouled and knocked down his free throw.
 
Pepperdine then responded with an extended 23-9 run over the next 12-plus minutes to pull within five, 62-57, with 2:45 remaining in the game.
 
The Lions hit free throws down the stretch to build the lead back up to nine before ultimately coming away with the seven-point victory. LMU made a season-high 92 percent of their free throws after sinking 24-for-26 from the stripe.
 
Harris led the Lions in scoring with his 16 points and four made threes. Merkviladze and Thiemann each went a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line and finished with 13 and 12 points, respectively. Each Australian scored scored 11 points, with Leaupepe leading the team with eight rebounds and Johnston finishing with a game-high five assists.
 
The Lions never trailed and held the lead for over 39 minutes of game action.
 
LMU returns home on Thursday night to host Portland for a 7:00 PM game.
 
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