The LMU women's basketball claimed its first Ayres Hotel Thanksgiving Tournament title since 2003 with a convincing 74-51 victory over Indiana State in the championship game Saturday at Gersten Pavilion in Los Angeles, Calif. The Lions (4-2) win their second game in a row while handing the Sycamores (3-1) their first loss of the season. In doing so, the Lions take home their fourth title in the 11-year history of their traditional home Thanksgiving tournament.
The title was the current squad's first, having lost in the finals in 2006 and 2004 and falling in the first round in 2005. LMU had not won the tournament since 2003.
Senior Amanda DeCoud was named the tournament Most Valuable Player, serving as the catalyst for the Lions on both offense and defense. DeCoud finished the final with nine points, six rebounds, five assists, and three steals. In the two games, DeCoud averaged 10.0 points, 5.0 assists, 3.5 steals, and 3.0 rebounds.
The Lions take to the road next week, traveling to #12 Cal on Wednesday in a game that has been moved up to 11:30 a.m. The Lions then visit Northern Arizona on Sunday at 1 p.m. Pacific.
Senior Amanda DeCoud and sophomore Lisa Helmers were named the All-Tournament team. Helmers led the Lions in scoring in both games, scoring a career-high 16 in the final.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
Men's basketball wraps up road trip on high note
The LMU Lion's men's basketball team put together their most complete effort of the season over the weekend, defeating Mercer, 97-92, in overtime in Macon, Ga on Saturday.
The Lions (2-4) snapped a five game road skid defeating Mercer, the team that has handed then no. 18 ranked and now no. 24 ranked USC (5-1) their only loss of the season. Mercer falls to 1-4 after the loss.
Marko Deric put the Lions up 93-91 on 3-pointer with 30 seconds to play, and the Lions never looked back. Deric was one of four players in double figures for the Lions with 14, going 5-for-10 from the field, including 2-for-3 from long range. The Lions were led by freshman Orlando Johnson with 21 points on 8-for-14 shooting while adding a team-high nine rebounds. Joining them in double figures was Jon Ziri and Quentin Turner with 15 points each.
LMU had their best first half of basketball this season as they jumped out to a lead as large as 16, 45-29 with 2:35 remaining on one of three Walker three-pointers. However, Mercer closed the half on a 12-2 run, eight of the 12 coming from the free throw line, to make it a six-point game at the break.
The Lions (2-4) snapped a five game road skid defeating Mercer, the team that has handed then no. 18 ranked and now no. 24 ranked USC (5-1) their only loss of the season. Mercer falls to 1-4 after the loss.
Marko Deric put the Lions up 93-91 on 3-pointer with 30 seconds to play, and the Lions never looked back. Deric was one of four players in double figures for the Lions with 14, going 5-for-10 from the field, including 2-for-3 from long range. The Lions were led by freshman Orlando Johnson with 21 points on 8-for-14 shooting while adding a team-high nine rebounds. Joining them in double figures was Jon Ziri and Quentin Turner with 15 points each.
LMU had their best first half of basketball this season as they jumped out to a lead as large as 16, 45-29 with 2:35 remaining on one of three Walker three-pointers. However, Mercer closed the half on a 12-2 run, eight of the 12 coming from the free throw line, to make it a six-point game at the break.
With the game tied at 73, Brandon Walker hit back-to-back three-pointers and the Lions took a six-point lead at 81-75 with 1:22 remaining. Mercer would close the game with the final six points, including a pair of free throws by Hall with 35 seconds remaining to send the game to overtime.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Women pull to 2-1
After losing the season opener to Boise State, the LMU Women's basketball team has one back-to-back road games against UNLV and Long Beach State heading into tonight's contest.
The Lions (2-1) face UC Santa Barbara (1-2) tonight in what should be a great match up in their home opener. Tip-off will be at 7:00p.m . in Gersten Pavilion.
The Lions are led by Cassady Moore and Amanda DeCoud. Moore is averaging 12.0 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. DeCound is average 10.7 points and 5.0 rebounds per game through the young season.
The Lions (2-1) face UC Santa Barbara (1-2) tonight in what should be a great match up in their home opener. Tip-off will be at 7:00p.m . in Gersten Pavilion.
The Lions are led by Cassady Moore and Amanda DeCoud. Moore is averaging 12.0 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. DeCound is average 10.7 points and 5.0 rebounds per game through the young season.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
BTI Invitational Results
The Lions earned their first win of the 2007-2008 season with a victory over Presbyterian, 83-76, in their second game of the BTI Invitational on Saturday. The Lions were 1-2 in the tournament and move to 1-4 on the season.
The Lions lost to St. Bonaventure 61-50, and to host New Mexico 86-58 in "the Pit" on Sunday in the tournament finale. Neither score depicts how close each game actually was.
The Lobos of New Mexico pulled away with run late in the second half to extend a 7 point lead to 28 points behind outstanding shooting from behind the three point line.
However, the Lions did improve in several aspects. Over the course of the weekend, they had career performances by four players, two of them being freshmen.
Freshman Tim Diederichs led the Lions on Friday with career-high 14 points and also had six rebounds.
Freshman Orlando Johnson led the Lions to victory over Presbyterian on Saturday with a career-high 23 points.
Junior Corey Counts also had a career night on Saturday with 10 points off the bench.
The Lions lone senior Jon Ziri averaged 7.6 rebounds per contest at the BTI Invitational. Ziri had his first career double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds in the tournament finale vs. New Mexico.
Tournament Results
Friday, Nov 16:
LMU 50, St. Bonaventure 61
New Mexico 88, Presbyterian 57
Saturday. Nov 17:
LMU 83, Presbyterian 76
New Mexico 81, St. Bonaventure 54
Sunday. Nov 18
LMU 58, New Mexico 86
St. Bonaventure 79, Presbyterian 72
The Lions lost to St. Bonaventure 61-50, and to host New Mexico 86-58 in "the Pit" on Sunday in the tournament finale. Neither score depicts how close each game actually was.
The Lobos of New Mexico pulled away with run late in the second half to extend a 7 point lead to 28 points behind outstanding shooting from behind the three point line.
However, the Lions did improve in several aspects. Over the course of the weekend, they had career performances by four players, two of them being freshmen.
Freshman Tim Diederichs led the Lions on Friday with career-high 14 points and also had six rebounds.
Freshman Orlando Johnson led the Lions to victory over Presbyterian on Saturday with a career-high 23 points.
Junior Corey Counts also had a career night on Saturday with 10 points off the bench.
The Lions lone senior Jon Ziri averaged 7.6 rebounds per contest at the BTI Invitational. Ziri had his first career double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds in the tournament finale vs. New Mexico.
Tournament Results
Friday, Nov 16:
LMU 50, St. Bonaventure 61
New Mexico 88, Presbyterian 57
Saturday. Nov 17:
LMU 83, Presbyterian 76
New Mexico 81, St. Bonaventure 54
Sunday. Nov 18
LMU 58, New Mexico 86
St. Bonaventure 79, Presbyterian 72
Friday, November 16, 2007
Men's Basketball: BTI Invitational
The LMU Lion's men's basketball team (0-2) will head to the 2007 BTI Invitational hosted by the University of New Mexico at The Pit in Albuquerque, NM this weekend. The Lions will open the tournament with St. Bonaventure (1-1) on Friday, Nov. 16 at 4:00 p.m. It is the Lions only tournament appearance of the non-conference season as they will also play Presbyterian on Saturday and host New Mexico on Sunday. The games can be heard live on KXLU 88.9 FM or online at LMULions.com.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Baseball is amazing. So is Arod.
Let me just start by saying, everyone should read this article.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=caple/071114&sportCat=mlb
The writer makes a lot of strong points. Baseball fans are often mistaken, especially when it comes to money, and spending it on players. The amount that the New York Yankees paid A-rod...was well worth it. You look at the numbers he put up, and it surpasses those of two-three average players this year combined. So why not pay him three times as much as a mediocre player? The fault of a baseball team is not when they pay superstars a gigantic amount, but instead, when they pay mediocre payers more then they should.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=caple/071114&sportCat=mlb
The writer makes a lot of strong points. Baseball fans are often mistaken, especially when it comes to money, and spending it on players. The amount that the New York Yankees paid A-rod...was well worth it. You look at the numbers he put up, and it surpasses those of two-three average players this year combined. So why not pay him three times as much as a mediocre player? The fault of a baseball team is not when they pay superstars a gigantic amount, but instead, when they pay mediocre payers more then they should.
Men's Basketball: Back to back losses open the season
Two games down. Some may say too many to go.
Two words can some up the season so far. Youth and turnovers.
Through two games, the Lions have gone 0-2 and turned the ball over a combined 44 turnovers. Both games were lost by double-digit margins.
In the opener against UC Irvine, the Lions shot themselves in the foot in the first half. A five-minute stretch produced an insurmountable deficit. The stretch saw the Lions fall into a hole they could not get out off as they suffer a 74-61 setback to UC Irvine at Crawford Court on Friday night in the season opener for both teams.
A 21-2 run by UC Irvine that spanned over five minutes saw a one-point ball game turn into 20-point lead for the Anteaters. The lead would go as high as 24 while the Lions could only get it down to 14 points in the second half.
Monday’s home opener was almost no different. Arkansas-Little Rock opened the game on a 12-0 run and never looked back, cruising to a 71-40 victory.
Up Next: The Lions travel to Albuquerque, New Mexico to play in the BTI invitational. The BTI Invitational at New Mexico for the Lions starts on Friday against St. Bonaventure at 4 p.m. (PT). The game will be broadcast live on KXLU 88.9 FM and LMULions.com.
Two words can some up the season so far. Youth and turnovers.
Through two games, the Lions have gone 0-2 and turned the ball over a combined 44 turnovers. Both games were lost by double-digit margins.
In the opener against UC Irvine, the Lions shot themselves in the foot in the first half. A five-minute stretch produced an insurmountable deficit. The stretch saw the Lions fall into a hole they could not get out off as they suffer a 74-61 setback to UC Irvine at Crawford Court on Friday night in the season opener for both teams.
A 21-2 run by UC Irvine that spanned over five minutes saw a one-point ball game turn into 20-point lead for the Anteaters. The lead would go as high as 24 while the Lions could only get it down to 14 points in the second half.
Monday’s home opener was almost no different. Arkansas-Little Rock opened the game on a 12-0 run and never looked back, cruising to a 71-40 victory.
Up Next: The Lions travel to Albuquerque, New Mexico to play in the BTI invitational. The BTI Invitational at New Mexico for the Lions starts on Friday against St. Bonaventure at 4 p.m. (PT). The game will be broadcast live on KXLU 88.9 FM and LMULions.com.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Lion Rewind: A look back at last season
Rewind
Looking back at 2006-2007
As Expected: The Lions started the season on a high-note living up to their preseason No. 14 ranking among Division I “mid-major programs.” Wins over Oral Roberts, New Mexico St., Gonzaga and Santa Clara were good wins for the Lions.
However, the season would be a roller coaster ride as the team showed inconsistency throughout the course of the year.
Unexpected: Injuries to both top scorers right after the other. Brandon Worthy went down with a knee injury that would sideline him for the season. Matthew Knight went down multiple times during the season, both at crucial junctures, although he did return to the lineup both times.
Losses to the WCC bottom feeders in Portland and Pepperdine. Both teams finished 4-10 in WCC play, with half of their wins coming against LMU.
Top Moments: Most of last year’s top moments in some way or another have to do with Brandon Worthy. The first top moment of the 2006-2007 season came in the LMU home opener against Oral Roberts University. LMU roared back to complete a second half comeback behind Knight’s 23 points and Worthy’s 19, winning the game 68-65. What made the victory even sweeter was seeing Oral Roberts knock off No. 3 Kansas that following week, 78-71.
Another Worthy moment, and yet another comeback. While most of the LMU community was asleep, LMU faced off against the University of Pacific in the Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout. Worthy led the charge back with buzzer beaters at the end of regulation and the first overtime. Worthy finished with 32 points and LMU came out with an 88-85 victory in double overtime.
Homecoming 2006. A “Worthy Knight” indeed. Students dawned shirts with the phrase on them while entering their seats, but had no idea what they were about to witness. Another LMU comeback and another Worthy moment. Worthy’s off-balanced three with less than one second remaining lifted Lions to 71-69 come-from-behind victory over New Mexico State in front of 3,570 at Gersten Pavilion. Worthy led the Lions with 28 points as LMU erased a 17-point second half deficit for the win. The shot was ESPN’s Sportscenter’s top play for the night and the LMU student body rushed the court in the madness. The play has also had over 100,000 YouTube hits.
“Brandon is flat-out a warrior who wants nothing else but wins. He wants the ball at the end of the game and his teammates know to get it to him,” said Coach Rodney Tention.
The final top moment of last season needs no special introduction. All who were there remember that Monday night in February, when the Gonzaga Bulldogs, well on their way to a birth in the NCAA tournament, came into Gersten Pavilion. The Lions were without star guard, Brandon Worthy, but the LMU faithful never lost hope, for they knew they had Adoyah Miller. The game was back and forth, with neither team able to pull away to a substantial lead. Miller led the Lions with 21 points, shooting 3 of 4 from behind the arc. In a game that featured 17 lead changes and 12 ties, the Lions took the lead for good on a pair of free throws by Miller with 3:01 remaining and held on with clutch work at the charity stripe to send the crowd of 3,815 on to the floor at Gersten Pavilion Monday night.
Stepped Up: Adoyah Miller. The senior guard averaged around seven points per game for his LMU career. However, after Worthy was injured, Miller stepped to finish with a season average of 11.7 points per game and 13.9 points per game in WCC play.
Coach’s Quote: “Disappointing obviously losing our last game,” Head Coach Rodney Tention said, “But from start to end finishing 5-4. That was promising for us, that was good to see. We showed we were able to battle through some adversity and we had a lot of adversity in losing a player of Brandon’s [Worthy] caliber and then losing Matty [Knight] right after that for a while. Obviously not pleased because we had high aspirations but I’ll give the guys a lot of credit, they worked hard every day. We beat Gonzaga when they were at full strength, we swept Santa Clara, so I was glad for those guys and it was a sign that we were able to get some things done.”
Looking back at 2006-2007
As Expected: The Lions started the season on a high-note living up to their preseason No. 14 ranking among Division I “mid-major programs.” Wins over Oral Roberts, New Mexico St., Gonzaga and Santa Clara were good wins for the Lions.
However, the season would be a roller coaster ride as the team showed inconsistency throughout the course of the year.
Unexpected: Injuries to both top scorers right after the other. Brandon Worthy went down with a knee injury that would sideline him for the season. Matthew Knight went down multiple times during the season, both at crucial junctures, although he did return to the lineup both times.
Losses to the WCC bottom feeders in Portland and Pepperdine. Both teams finished 4-10 in WCC play, with half of their wins coming against LMU.
Top Moments: Most of last year’s top moments in some way or another have to do with Brandon Worthy. The first top moment of the 2006-2007 season came in the LMU home opener against Oral Roberts University. LMU roared back to complete a second half comeback behind Knight’s 23 points and Worthy’s 19, winning the game 68-65. What made the victory even sweeter was seeing Oral Roberts knock off No. 3 Kansas that following week, 78-71.
Another Worthy moment, and yet another comeback. While most of the LMU community was asleep, LMU faced off against the University of Pacific in the Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout. Worthy led the charge back with buzzer beaters at the end of regulation and the first overtime. Worthy finished with 32 points and LMU came out with an 88-85 victory in double overtime.
Homecoming 2006. A “Worthy Knight” indeed. Students dawned shirts with the phrase on them while entering their seats, but had no idea what they were about to witness. Another LMU comeback and another Worthy moment. Worthy’s off-balanced three with less than one second remaining lifted Lions to 71-69 come-from-behind victory over New Mexico State in front of 3,570 at Gersten Pavilion. Worthy led the Lions with 28 points as LMU erased a 17-point second half deficit for the win. The shot was ESPN’s Sportscenter’s top play for the night and the LMU student body rushed the court in the madness. The play has also had over 100,000 YouTube hits.
“Brandon is flat-out a warrior who wants nothing else but wins. He wants the ball at the end of the game and his teammates know to get it to him,” said Coach Rodney Tention.
The final top moment of last season needs no special introduction. All who were there remember that Monday night in February, when the Gonzaga Bulldogs, well on their way to a birth in the NCAA tournament, came into Gersten Pavilion. The Lions were without star guard, Brandon Worthy, but the LMU faithful never lost hope, for they knew they had Adoyah Miller. The game was back and forth, with neither team able to pull away to a substantial lead. Miller led the Lions with 21 points, shooting 3 of 4 from behind the arc. In a game that featured 17 lead changes and 12 ties, the Lions took the lead for good on a pair of free throws by Miller with 3:01 remaining and held on with clutch work at the charity stripe to send the crowd of 3,815 on to the floor at Gersten Pavilion Monday night.
Stepped Up: Adoyah Miller. The senior guard averaged around seven points per game for his LMU career. However, after Worthy was injured, Miller stepped to finish with a season average of 11.7 points per game and 13.9 points per game in WCC play.
Coach’s Quote: “Disappointing obviously losing our last game,” Head Coach Rodney Tention said, “But from start to end finishing 5-4. That was promising for us, that was good to see. We showed we were able to battle through some adversity and we had a lot of adversity in losing a player of Brandon’s [Worthy] caliber and then losing Matty [Knight] right after that for a while. Obviously not pleased because we had high aspirations but I’ll give the guys a lot of credit, they worked hard every day. We beat Gonzaga when they were at full strength, we swept Santa Clara, so I was glad for those guys and it was a sign that we were able to get some things done.”
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Upcoming LMU Men's Basketball Season
With the exhibition season gone now, LMU looks to head into the season opener on Friday, Nov 9 at UC Irvine.
But just how will the Lions fair this season?
The exhibition game was pointless, the Lions made no real attempt to win the game, unless you call motion offense and just getting a feel for your own team trying. Personally, I'm excited to see the Lions this season. After watching the exhibition game, I think they are going to be fun to watch.
They showed some future promise with two freshman leading the Lions in scoring. Orlando Johnson had 20 points, while Tim Diederichs added 15 of his own.
However, the LMU community is skeptical after losing to Divsion II Cal State Dominguez Hills, 84-69.
Call me crazy, but I think the Lions may be able to make some noise. Crazy, right? WRONG. The reason I have faith: Coach Rodney Tention.
Tention has the Lions headed in the right direction, and his recruits are solid. This year's team will be a different-look team compared to last year's. This young, athletic team, may just make some noise this season.
Think I'm crazy, go into Gersten Pavilion and see for yourself.
Have faith LMU, have faith.
The Lions home opener is Monday, November 12th vs. Arkansas-Little Rock. Tip-off will be at 7:35pm at Gersten Pavilion. The game will be broadcast live on 88.9 FM KXLU radio.
But just how will the Lions fair this season?
The exhibition game was pointless, the Lions made no real attempt to win the game, unless you call motion offense and just getting a feel for your own team trying. Personally, I'm excited to see the Lions this season. After watching the exhibition game, I think they are going to be fun to watch.
They showed some future promise with two freshman leading the Lions in scoring. Orlando Johnson had 20 points, while Tim Diederichs added 15 of his own.
However, the LMU community is skeptical after losing to Divsion II Cal State Dominguez Hills, 84-69.
Call me crazy, but I think the Lions may be able to make some noise. Crazy, right? WRONG. The reason I have faith: Coach Rodney Tention.
Tention has the Lions headed in the right direction, and his recruits are solid. This year's team will be a different-look team compared to last year's. This young, athletic team, may just make some noise this season.
Think I'm crazy, go into Gersten Pavilion and see for yourself.
Have faith LMU, have faith.
The Lions home opener is Monday, November 12th vs. Arkansas-Little Rock. Tip-off will be at 7:35pm at Gersten Pavilion. The game will be broadcast live on 88.9 FM KXLU radio.
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