Eli Scott recorded the first triple-double in the history of Loyola Marymount University’s men’s basketball team Dec. 7 as the Lions defeated Grambling State 83-67 at Gersten Pavilion.
In this 30th anniversary season commemorating LMU’s magical run to the NCAA’s Elite Eight, Scott collected 21 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists to lead the Lions (4-5). The 6-foot-6 junior from Chino Hills scored his 11th point with 13 minutes left to achieve the triple double, which had nearly been achieved by Hank Gathers in 1989 (one assist shy), Terrell Lowery in 1990 (one rebound shy), and Lowery again in 1991 (one assist shy).
The game was decided early on when LMU took off on an 18-0 run to grab a 24-5 lead. The Lions shot a program-record 63.9 percent for the night, as Seikuo Sisoho Jawara scored 13 and Ivan Alipiev had 12.
Three nights earlier, Scott scored 31 points with 10 rebounds but the Lions couldn’t hold a 34-30 halftime lead and lost 76-64 to 20th-ranked Colorado in Boulder. The Buffaloes out-rebounded the Lions 39-30 and shot 17 of 21 from the free throw line in the second half alone, whereas LMU was just 7 of 17 for the game. Deavaunta Williams scored 11 for LMU before fouling out.
After time off for final exams, LMU hosts Prairie View A&M Dec. 13, then travels to UC Davis Dec. 16. The West Coast Conference season begins Jan. 2 at home against San Diego.
Women split at home
The LMU women’s basketball team split a pair of home games at Gersten Pavilion, losing a heartbreaker to Cal State Northridge but demolishing Cal State San Bernardino.
Against CSUN, the Lions stormed to a 29-21 halftime lead and led by 10 with 8:44 to play, cheered on by 1,670 fans on Education Day including a number of area elementary school students. But in the fourth quarter, the Matadors came back, took the lead and scored the winning points with eight seconds to play.
Jasmine Jones had 13 points and 13 rebounds for LMU, Ciera Ellington nine points and seven rebounds, and Chelsey Gipson seven assists. LMU was only 10- of 21 at the foul line.
But three nights later, the Lions came roaring back against winless Cal State San Bernardino, 94-46. A 29-6 second quarter burst (with a 20-0 run) gave LMU a commanding 48-17 halftime lead over the Coyotes, and the Lions ended with a 53 percent shooting mark from the field.
Redshirt junior Meghan Mandel scored 16 points, Ellington 14, Gipson 12, Raychel Stanley and Khari Clark 11 each, and Jones 10 as everyone on the roster scored at least a point. Jones had 14 rebounds, Mandel nine and Clark eight, and Brittney Reed had six of LMU’s season-best 28 assists.
After finals, LMU travels to Albuquerque Dec. 18-20 for games against Ball State, New Mexico State and Providence, then opens the West Coast Conference season Dec. 29 and 30 at home against BYU and San Diego.
