Loyola Marymount Rallies to Win, 101-87

Loyola Marymount turned up the pressure in the second half Monday night and, as a result, was able to come from behind for a 101-87 nonconference victory over Loyola of Maryland at Gersten Pavilion.

The Lions (2-1) trailed by as many as 12 points in the first half, when they shot 30% from the field, but came back behind a trapping defense that forced the Greyhounds into 26 turnovers, 16 in the second half.

“The press picks you up,” Loyola Marymount Coach Jay Hillock said. “It’s like sharks feeding. It’s a frenzy. Everyone comes together.”

The Lions came together in the opening minutes of the second half after trailing by four points at halftime. Forcing three turnovers, they outscored the Greyhounds, 14-2, in the first 3 minutes 15 seconds of the second half to take a 53-45 lead, which they held the rest of the way.

Senior guard Terrell Lowery, who led all scorers with 33 points on 10-of-19 shooting, had five points during Loyola Marymount’s pivotal run and 21 in the second half, during which the Lions outscored the Greyhounds, 62-44. Lowery also led Loyola Marymount with seven assists, five steals and five three-point shots.

Junior forward Brian McCloskey added 17 points and had a personal-best 12 rebounds, and senior forward Chris Knight came off the bench to get 11 points and eight rebounds.

Loyola Marymount extended a five-point lead to 88-71 with 3:52 to play with a 12-0 run. The Greyhounds (0-3) went more than three minutes without a point during the stretch.

Sophomore forward Michael Reese, a transfer who started for Boston College as a freshman, led the Greyhounds with 20 points, but scored only six in the second half.