St. Mary's came Jenny Craig Pavilion on Monday night thinking they would walk away with yet another easy WCC victory, this was not the case as USD and Brandon Johnson had something to say about it. San Diego pulled off the upset with a huge second half, winning 63-55.
For the second time this season the Gaels lost in their first game after moving into The Associated Press' Top 25.
Brandon Johnson scored 25 points and Gyno Pomare added 20 to lead San Diego to a 63-55 victory over Saint Mary's (No. 20 ESPN/USA Today, No. 21 AP) on Monday night, hours after the Gaels moved into the poll.Saint Mary's (17-3, 4-1 West Coast Conference) lost at Southern Illinois 71-56 on Dec. 11, the day after the then-No. 24 Gaels moved into the poll for the first time since March 1989.
San Diego's victory was just its third over a Top 25 opponent in the school's history, and its first since a win over No. 14 UCLA in 2002.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
Lions drown in the Waves
LMU Men's Basketball has been struggling through the long rebuilding year. Last Saturday's game against Pepperdine in Malibu was no different. The Lions struggled.
The Lions left Malibu disappointed after a 87-64 defeat at the hands of the Waves. The loss was the Lions's 10th straight at Firestone Fieldhouse in Malibu, Calif.
The Lions finished the long road trip 0-3 and fall to 1-4 in WCC play, 4-17 on the season. Pepperdine improves to 1-4 in the WCC and 7-14 overall.
The Lions opened up the scoring early, jumping out to a quick 5-2 lead, with all five points scored by freshman Tim Diederichs who would finish with five points and one rebound in limited minutes due to foul trouble.
Pepperdine took the lead at 8-7 and would not look back, never surrendering the lead and cruising to the win.
"I must sound like a broken record," said Head Coach Rodney Tention. "The tougher team won again tonight. They played harder and they wanted it more. I thought we were ready tonight."
The Lions were led by freshman Orlando Johnson, who continues to improve and impress, recording his third career double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds.
The freshman from Seaside, Calif. continues to move up the standings for scoring and rebounds, as his 272 points and 115 rebounds ranks seventh and sixth for freshmen at LMU.
Sophomore Shawn Deadwiler continued his consistent play with a solid 17 point performance and senior Jon Ziri had one of his best offensive performances of the season with 10 points, five rebounds and two assists. Redshirt freshman Brad Sweezy chipped in with six points.
However, the Lions could not contend with the three-point shooting of Pepperdine, who made eight in the game, shooting 60 percent from behind the arc in the second half.
The Lions showed a zone defense in the first half in an attempt to slow down the Pepperdine fast break. They did, holding the Waves to just six fast break points. However, the Waves exploited the zone with their three-point shooting.
The Lions left Malibu disappointed after a 87-64 defeat at the hands of the Waves. The loss was the Lions's 10th straight at Firestone Fieldhouse in Malibu, Calif.
The Lions finished the long road trip 0-3 and fall to 1-4 in WCC play, 4-17 on the season. Pepperdine improves to 1-4 in the WCC and 7-14 overall.
The Lions opened up the scoring early, jumping out to a quick 5-2 lead, with all five points scored by freshman Tim Diederichs who would finish with five points and one rebound in limited minutes due to foul trouble.
Pepperdine took the lead at 8-7 and would not look back, never surrendering the lead and cruising to the win.
"I must sound like a broken record," said Head Coach Rodney Tention. "The tougher team won again tonight. They played harder and they wanted it more. I thought we were ready tonight."
The Lions were led by freshman Orlando Johnson, who continues to improve and impress, recording his third career double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds.
The freshman from Seaside, Calif. continues to move up the standings for scoring and rebounds, as his 272 points and 115 rebounds ranks seventh and sixth for freshmen at LMU.
Sophomore Shawn Deadwiler continued his consistent play with a solid 17 point performance and senior Jon Ziri had one of his best offensive performances of the season with 10 points, five rebounds and two assists. Redshirt freshman Brad Sweezy chipped in with six points.
However, the Lions could not contend with the three-point shooting of Pepperdine, who made eight in the game, shooting 60 percent from behind the arc in the second half.
The Lions showed a zone defense in the first half in an attempt to slow down the Pepperdine fast break. They did, holding the Waves to just six fast break points. However, the Waves exploited the zone with their three-point shooting.
"We thought we could slow them with the zone," said Tention. "But we had no communication defensively and we gave up open shots. We cannot have two guys guarding the ball in zone defense. We have to get better."
The Lions offensive struggles continued as the shot a mere 37.3 percent from the floor and just 22.2 percent from behind the arc.
Turnovers also continue to plague the Lions' offensive efforts as they committed 19, leading to 26 points for the Waves. Five Waves scored in double figures, including Malcolm Thomas with a game-high 18. Tyrone Shelley added 16, Rico Tucker and Mychel Thompson had 15 and 12 points, respectively. Ryan Homles added another 15 points off the bench for the Waves. Pepperdine's bench outscored Loyola Marymount's 23-20.
The Lions attempted to mount several comebacks in the second half, but constantly set back by Pepperdine. Several times the Lions fought back to bring the lead down to 11 and sometimes 10, but a turnover and a couple defensive lapses and Pepperdine would once again have the lead back above 16 points.
The Lions return home to face the University of San Diego on Saturday. The Torreros are 10-11 on the season and 3-1 in the WCC. San Diego currently sits in 3rd place behind No. 24 St. Mary's and Gonzaga.
The Lions offensive struggles continued as the shot a mere 37.3 percent from the floor and just 22.2 percent from behind the arc.
Turnovers also continue to plague the Lions' offensive efforts as they committed 19, leading to 26 points for the Waves. Five Waves scored in double figures, including Malcolm Thomas with a game-high 18. Tyrone Shelley added 16, Rico Tucker and Mychel Thompson had 15 and 12 points, respectively. Ryan Homles added another 15 points off the bench for the Waves. Pepperdine's bench outscored Loyola Marymount's 23-20.
The Lions attempted to mount several comebacks in the second half, but constantly set back by Pepperdine. Several times the Lions fought back to bring the lead down to 11 and sometimes 10, but a turnover and a couple defensive lapses and Pepperdine would once again have the lead back above 16 points.
The Lions return home to face the University of San Diego on Saturday. The Torreros are 10-11 on the season and 3-1 in the WCC. San Diego currently sits in 3rd place behind No. 24 St. Mary's and Gonzaga.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Lions offense reaches a halt on road
The Lion offense fell flat on its face over the weekend, as the Lions lost to Santa Clara, 58-35 on Saturday and No. 24 St. Mary's, 87-55 in their first road contests of WCC play. The Lions fall to 4-16 on the season and 1-3 in WCC play.
The Lions will finish up their road trip against Pepperdine in Malibu, Calif. on Saturday, January 26h. The Waves are o-4 in the WCC and 6-14 overall.
The Lions will finish up their road trip against Pepperdine in Malibu, Calif. on Saturday, January 26h. The Waves are o-4 in the WCC and 6-14 overall.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
WCC News and Notes: Pepperdine's Walberg Resigns
ESPN.com is reporting that Pepperdine men's basketball coach Vance Walberg has told his players that he has resigned for personal reasons.
Walberg was hired as Waves coach in 2006 from Fresno City College.
Pepperdine is 6-12 this season, 0-2 in WCC play following Monday's 92-57 loss to Gonzaga in Malibu, Calif.
Assistant coach Eric Bridgeland will take over the team as interim coach.
Walberg was hired as Waves coach in 2006 from Fresno City College.
Pepperdine is 6-12 this season, 0-2 in WCC play following Monday's 92-57 loss to Gonzaga in Malibu, Calif.
Assistant coach Eric Bridgeland will take over the team as interim coach.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Lions move to 1-1 in WCC play
The LMU Lions earned their first conference win of the season Monday night, defeating the Portland Pilots, 73-68. The win is the first home win of the season for the young team and also ends a seven game losing streak. The Pilots fall to 6-11, while the Lions move to 4-14, with their second win in the last ten.
Point gaurd Corey Counts all but put the game on ice with his late free-throw shooting, going 6-6 from line in the final 1:30 of play. Counts finished with 14 points, including two three pointers, and only one turnover.
The Lions turned the ball over 12 times, only four in the second half, half of them being in the final minute due to increase Portland pressure.
Four Lions scored in double figures lead by Shawn Deadwiler's 16 points, Counts's 14, Orland Johnson aslo had 14 to go along with 11 rebounds, recording his second career double-double. Feshman Tim Diederichs added 12 points. Diederichs left the game early with a cramp, but will be available for next week's contest at Santa Clara.
Jon Ziri, the lone Lion senior led the Lions on the court, doing the "little things" that don't show up on a stat sheet. Ziri led the Lions with four steals, and two points on a crucial steal that put the Lions up six with just over three minutes to play.
Freshman Brandon Walker has missed the last two games with a sprained ankle suffered in practice last Thursday, January 10th. Walker continues to be day-to-day, although Walker expects to return to practice on Wednesday. Walker should be available for the upcoming road trip.
Point gaurd Corey Counts all but put the game on ice with his late free-throw shooting, going 6-6 from line in the final 1:30 of play. Counts finished with 14 points, including two three pointers, and only one turnover.
The Lions turned the ball over 12 times, only four in the second half, half of them being in the final minute due to increase Portland pressure.
Four Lions scored in double figures lead by Shawn Deadwiler's 16 points, Counts's 14, Orland Johnson aslo had 14 to go along with 11 rebounds, recording his second career double-double. Feshman Tim Diederichs added 12 points. Diederichs left the game early with a cramp, but will be available for next week's contest at Santa Clara.
Jon Ziri, the lone Lion senior led the Lions on the court, doing the "little things" that don't show up on a stat sheet. Ziri led the Lions with four steals, and two points on a crucial steal that put the Lions up six with just over three minutes to play.
Freshman Brandon Walker has missed the last two games with a sprained ankle suffered in practice last Thursday, January 10th. Walker continues to be day-to-day, although Walker expects to return to practice on Wednesday. Walker should be available for the upcoming road trip.
LMU vs. Portland - 1st Half
The LMU Lions and Portland Pilots are in a tight battle at halftime. The Lions trail the Pilots by three at 30-27. LMU trailed 24-27 until Shawn Deadwiler hit a step back three-pointer with 3.0 seconds remaining. Portland knocked down a buzzer beating three-pointer to take the lead as time expired.
The Lions and the Pilots and two of the youngest teams in the WCC. The teams have 11 freshamn combined.
The LMU bigs are struggling in the rebound and foul department. Starting center Max Craig, and backup Terron Sutton have sat most of the half with early foul trouble.
Hustle Stats:
Rebounds: LMU 13, Portland 20
Assists: LMU 7, Portland 6
Steals: LMU 3, Portland 3
Blocks: LMU 3, Portland 2
Lion Leaders at Halftime:
Points: Tim Diederichs, 8
Rebounds: Orlando Johnson, 4
Assists: Shawn Deadwiler, 3
Steals: Jon Ziri, 2
Blocks: Deadwiler, Johnson, Sutton, Tied w/ 1
The Lions are shooting 39% from the field (11-28), 27% from behind the arc (3-11) and 40% from the free-throw line (2-5).
The Lions and the Pilots and two of the youngest teams in the WCC. The teams have 11 freshamn combined.
The LMU bigs are struggling in the rebound and foul department. Starting center Max Craig, and backup Terron Sutton have sat most of the half with early foul trouble.
Hustle Stats:
Rebounds: LMU 13, Portland 20
Assists: LMU 7, Portland 6
Steals: LMU 3, Portland 3
Blocks: LMU 3, Portland 2
Lion Leaders at Halftime:
Points: Tim Diederichs, 8
Rebounds: Orlando Johnson, 4
Assists: Shawn Deadwiler, 3
Steals: Jon Ziri, 2
Blocks: Deadwiler, Johnson, Sutton, Tied w/ 1
The Lions are shooting 39% from the field (11-28), 27% from behind the arc (3-11) and 40% from the free-throw line (2-5).
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Women's Basketball: Lions end 2007 with loss in home tournament
The LMU Lions women's basketball team rounded up 2007 with a loss in their home Holiday tournament to Kansas State, 70-47.
The Lions won their first tournament game against Cal Stat Bakersfield, 95-90 in double overtime. Kansas State defeated Arkansas-Little Rock in their tournament opener.
The Lions close the books on the non-conference season with an 8-7 record and will begin conference play on January 10th at Portland.
The Lions won their first tournament game against Cal Stat Bakersfield, 95-90 in double overtime. Kansas State defeated Arkansas-Little Rock in their tournament opener.
The Lions close the books on the non-conference season with an 8-7 record and will begin conference play on January 10th at Portland.
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