Loyola Loses Big Lead but Wins Third in a Row

No lead is safe for Loyola Marymount these days, but the Lions hung on for their third victory in a row Saturday night, beating St. Mary’s, 97-93, before 2,212 in Gersten Pavilion.

The Lions held an 85-69 lead with 6:37 to play, then saw it cut to 92-91 before Terrell Lowery hit four consecutive free throws in the final 37 seconds to secure the victory.

Loyola used its first three-game winning streak of the season to improve to 9-3 overall and 3-5 in the West Coast Conference. The Gaels dropped to 7-15 and 3-6. Loyola jumped from last place into fifth in the eight-team conference.

“Three in a row--will it ever end,” Lion Coach Jay Hillock deadpanned.

Loyola was led by guard Craig Holt, who scored a season-high 30 points and made seven three-point baskets. Lowery had 19 points--15 in the second half--and nine assists, and center Richard Petruska had 18 points and 16 rebounds.

Said Hillock of his 6-foot-10 Czechoslovakian: “He played his best game since he landed on the continent.”

Hitting three quick three-pointers, Holt scored 11 points in the first 4:35 to propel the Lions to a 32-25 lead. He scored eight more points by halftime and the Lions had a 49-45 edge after withstanding a run that saw the Gaels take a brief 42-41 lead.

A 9-0 burst by Loyola early in the second half helped the Lions build the 16-point lead. But the outcome was far from being decided.

With guard Thurman Watson taking over, St. Mary’s outscored the Lions, 18-5, to pull to within 90-87 with 2:01 to play.

Holt hit a two-pointer, but Gael guard Allen Daveness made a jump shot and Eric Bamberger stole the inbounds pass and scored, cutting the lead to 92-91 before Lowery’s free throws gave the Lions breathing room.