Loyola Ousted From Tournament as Gonzaga Exploits Turnovers
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Just as fast as Loyola Marymount gained the momentum Saturday night, the Lions lost it.
Top-seeded Gonzaga, after having a 15-point lead cut to four in the second half, pulled away in the final three minutes for a 91-76 victory in the first round of the West Coast Conference tournament at Santa Clara’s Toso Pavilion.
Loyola (6-21) had moved within 75-71 on a three-point play by center Ime Odouk with 3:39 left. But after a timeout, Gonzaga (21-6) went on a 12-0 run to regain control.
The Lions, who handed champion Gonzaga one of its two conference losses, never led but managed to stay close by making 11 of 20 three-point shots after starting 10 of 13.
The Lions, however, committed 25 turnovers, 16 in the second half.
Guard Robin Kirksey’s 17 points led Loyola, which has not won a WCC tournament game since 1990.
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