Loyola Extends Winning Streak to 11 With Strong Second Half

Loyola Marymount got its running game going in the second half to defeat Gonzaga, 85-82, Saturday night at Spokane, Wash., and move into sole possesion of first place in the West Coast Athletic Conference.

The win raised the Lions’ WCAC record to 4-0. USF was tied for first place with the Lions, but the Dons lost to St. Mary’s, 66-49, and are 3-1.

The victory also was Loyola’s 11th straight, which broke the school record of 10 set by the 1948-49 team and equalled by the 1985-86 club. The Lions are 14-3 overall, the school’s best start since the 1961-62 team started 15-3.

Loyola, which shot only 33% (11 of 33) in the first 20 minutes, trailed at halftime, 32-29. Forward Mike Yoest managed only 2 points and Bo Kimble was scoreless. Forwards Danny Roe and Todd Franklin accounted for 20 of Gonzaga’s 32 points.

A layup by Hank Gathers with 9:09 left gave Loyola a 55-54 lead, and the Lions scored the next 9 points to lead by 10 at 64-54. The Lions built their advantage to 72-57 with 4:55, outscoring Gonzaga, 19-3.

Gathers and Yoest each scored 6 points and Kimble added 4 to highlight the rally. Gathers finished with 22 points (12 in the second half) and Yoest had 13 points and 11 rebounds. Lion guard Corey Gaines led all scorers with 24 points.

Roe scored 18 points for Gonzaga (10-7, 1-3).