LOS ANGELES – It came down the final seconds in a game that featured both team's defenses holding the opposing teams under 39 percent shooting. The Lions nearly erased a 12-point second half deficit on #23 Saint Mary's before ultimately falling, 58-55.
 
Caleb Stone-Carrawell hit the game's first jumper and started his offensive night en route to a team-high 17 points.
 
The two teams traded off the opening five baskets as Saint Mary's tied the game, then Alex Merkviladze put the Lions up two before the Gaels tied it again leading to Stone-Carrawell giving the lead back to LMU.
 
With the game tied at 8-8, a 7-0 run gave LMU their largest lead of the game as Myron Amey, Jr. hit a three and Stone-Carrawell added in two more buckets.
 
The Gaels responded with a 16-4 run to end the half with only a Rick Issanza offensive rebound tip-in being LMU's lone field goal over the final 9:36. 
 
Saint Mary's led 24-19 at the half, despite LMU starting the game 8-for-30 (26.7 percent) from the field in the first 20 minutes.
 
The run continued coming out of the half for the nationally ranked road team, as the Gaels built it up to a dozen with 11:33 remaining.
 
Stone-Carrawell converted an and-1 to cut it to nine. After SMC grew the lead back to double-digits two more times Jan Vide and Amey each hit shots in the paint to bring it down to nine again. Amey's shot started a 6-0 run as Issanza followed with a dunk and Stone-Carrawell hit another jumper.
 
With 6:15 on the clock Will Johnston hit his second three of the half to bring the Lions back within five.
 
Four straight points by Stone-Carrawell pulled the Lions within three with 3:17 remaining, 52-49.
 
Johnston and Porter hit pairs of free throws down the stretch to keep it a three-point game, and after Saint Mary's missed the front end of a 1-and-1, Amey's full court prayer came up short as time expired.
 
The Lions shot 54.2 percent (13-for-24) in the second half and outscored the Gaels by two after intermission but could not overcome the tough shooting in the opening half.
 
LMU started all five members of the senior class. That group of five combined for 37 of the team's 54 points.
 
The Lions only turned the ball over three times.
 
The West Coast Conference will announce final seeding for the CU1 WCC Tournament this Sunday at 10:00 AM. The championships run March 6-11 from the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.
 
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