Loyola Is Outrun by Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS — Loyola Marymount made itself right at home for most of its game against Nevada Las Vegas Wednesday night, outplaying-- and outrunning--the Rebels.

But in the final 10 minutes, the Lions found out why UNLV is rated No. 1 as the Rebels pulled away to a 102-91 victory in the opening round of the preseason National Invitation Tournament before a crowd of about 18,000 in the Thomas and Mack Center.

Forward Larry Johnson scored 24 points to lead the Rebels inside attack, and guard Anderson Hunt got 27 on breakaway layups and three-pointers to pace UNLV. Forward Stacy Augmon added 18.

Johnson and Augmon were also in on several angry confrontations with Loyola players that continued outside the locker rooms after the game. No punches were thrown.

Loyola, which led at halftime and was within a basket midway through the second half, was led by guard Jeff Fryer’s 23 points and guard Bo Kimble’s 19. Center Hank Gathers, who had a tough shooting night, finished with 18.

“People went to sleep back East (at halftime) thinking we were No. 1,” Loyola Coach Paul Westhead said. “They justifiably earned being ranked first.”

Loyola fell behind early in the game but used a 20-2 run on the way to a 54-52 lead at halftime.

In a half that featured everything from in-your-face confrontations to a phoned bomb threat--the half was stopped briefly with 5:41 to play while the arena was searched without incident--the Lions forged a 6-2 lead, then just as quickly fell behind after a series of bad shots and unforced turnovers.

UNLV took advantage of the sloppy play to go on a 19-5 run and build a 21-11 lead when Augmon thundered home a dunk off an alley-oop.

But Loyola stayed in the game as Gathers scored inside and Kimble made two consecutive baskets. Loyola took the lead, 26-25, on Fryer’s three-pointer, and the Lions were suddenly on a tear as UNLV was the team taking poor shots and making turnovers.

Loyola, spurred by two three-pointers by guard Terrell Lowery, increased the lead at 36-27, then the teams settled in for some high-speed exchanges.

The Rebels pulled to within 44-43 on Barry Young’s three-pointer, then the teams traded leads six times in the final minutes of the half.

Both teams had balanced scoring in the half, with Loyola getting 12 points apiece from Fryer and Lowery, and 10 from Gathers and Kimble. James Jones and Johnson led the Rebels with 12 each.