COLLEGE BASKETBALL / SOUTHLAND

San Diego 82, Loyola Marymount 38--The Lions’ WCC opener looked depressingly identical to their play in nonconference games as they were embarrassed before 550 at Gersten Pavilion.

Loyola (2-12, 0-1), which had a school-record 11-game losing streak in nonconference play, suffered the worst conference defeat in its history. The 38 points were the third fewest the Lions have scored since the 1949-50 season.

The Toreros (10-4, 1-0), led by senior guard Andre Laws’ career-high 28 points, gave up the third fewest points to an opponent since entering Division I in 1979.

Lion Coach Charles Bradley declined to talk to reporters after the game.

Loyola scored its first field goal at 19:17 and don’t get another basket (and only four free throws) for more than eight minutes.

By that time San Diego had built a 24-6 lead. The Toreros increased the margin to 46-16 after Laws--who did not start because disciplinary action by Coach Brad Holland but scored 23 first-half points--made a 30-foot three-point basket as the half ended.

The Lions will be without leading scorer Rupert McClendon for four to six weeks. An MRI examination revealed a stress fracture in his right foot. McClendon, a senior, is averaging 11.2 points.