Smith Scores 33, but Loyola Ends Home Season With a 70-63 Defeat

Loyola Marymount University closed out its home basketball schedule Saturday night with a 70-63 loss to the University of Portland before a crowd of 1,575.

The loss dropped Loyola (10-15 overall) into last place in the West Coast Athletic Conference at 2-8, a half-game behind Portland (2-7). Portland improved to 13-12 overall.

Portland shot 56% and had a 40-32 rebounding edge.

The Lions pulled within three, 65-62, as Keith Smith scored 23 of his 33 points in the second half including a string of 20 straight Loyola points. Loyola scored only one point after he fouled out with 35 seconds left.

Smith moved within 13 points of the Loyola single-season record of 659 points held by Jim Haderlein. Loyola has two road games remaining. Smith’s sixth 30-point game raised his average to 25.8.

Guard Dwayne Corbitt led Portland with 17 points.