Thirty seasons after its most historic basketball season ever, LMU men's basketball gave fans a treat in the “new look” Gersten Pavilion Nov. 5 by beating Westcliff, 105-62.
The runaway score elicited memories of the 1989-90 season in which the Lions literally raced their way into the record book with a high scoring run-and-shoot offense, overcoming the tragic death of All-American star Hank Gathers to reach the NCAA’s Elite Eight.
Five Lions scored in double figures, topped by sophomore Ivan Alipiev’s 25 points. Eli Scott and Keli Leaupepe each scored 15, Jonathan Dos Anjos 12, and Jordan Bell ten. Scott also had eight assists, and Alipiev and Bell each had six rebounds.
LMU led 48-25 at the half, then shot 67 percent from the field after intermission, forcing 21 turnovers. It was a splendid opening night at Gersten Pavilion, whose facelift includes addition of a new court, exterior and interior painting, championship banners hanging from the rafters, and new sound-and-light entertainment capabilities.
The Lions now head to Reno to play Nevada Nov. 9, and return home Nov. 16 to play Colorado State.
