In a game that ultimately saw Loyola Marymount (LMU) pull away, the Lions secured a 12-point victory over San Diego (USD) at the Jenny Craig Pavilion. LMU's strong first half, capped off by a 38-32 lead at the break, laid the groundwork for their eventual 77-65 triumph. USD, ranked 225th nationally in NET, struggled to keep pace with the 173rd-ranked Lions.
The margin of victory, while substantial, could have been even greater had it not been for USD's late-game push in the second half. Despite a 33-39 scoring advantage for LMU in the final 20 minutes, USD managed to stay within striking distance, ultimately falling short by 12 points. The final scoreline reflected the narrow margin that separated these two teams, with LMU's efficiency and execution ultimately proving too much for USD to overcome.
Jan Vide led the Lions' charge, pouring in a game-high 23 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the field, including a 1-of-3 performance from beyond the arc. He also contributed 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks, demonstrating his well-rounded skillset. Vide's efficient shooting and all-around playmaking ability made him a key factor in Loyola Marymount's victory.
Rodney Brown Jr. provided a boost off the bench, scoring 19 points on 6-of-11 shooting from the field, including an impressive 5-of-7 showing from three-point range. His ability to stretch the defense with his outside shooting allowed the Lions to create scoring opportunities and maintain a comfortable margin throughout the game. Myron Amey Jr. also had a strong outing, scoring 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the field, while adding 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block to his stat line.
Toneari Lane's 19 points were a bright spot for San Diego, but his overall production was somewhat inconsistent. He connected on 7 of 14 field goal attempts and 5 of 8 three-pointers, but his lack of rebounding (1 board) and limited playmaking (0 assists) limited his impact on the game. Despite his strong shooting, Lane's performance ultimately wasn't enough to propel San Diego to a victory.
Adrian McIntyre's 18 points were a product of his aggressive play, as he shot 9 of 15 from the field and dished out 4 assists. However, he struggled from beyond the arc, converting on just 0 of 2 three-point attempts. McIntyre's scoring output was respectable, but his inability to stretch the defense with his outside shooting and limited rebounding (1 board) hindered San Diego's chances. Juanse Gorosito's 12 points and 5 rebounds were a solid effort, but his 3 of 9 shooting from the field and 2 of 6 three-point attempts suggest he was also feeling the effects of Loyola Marymount's stifling defense.
Gavin Ripp's rebounding prowess was a notable departure from his season average, as he more than doubled his usual output with 7 boards, a significant increase that speaks to his ability to capitalize on opportunities on the glass. Conversely, his scoring output of 3 points fell short of his already modest season average, suggesting that Ripp's efficiency from the field was not up to par, as evidenced by his 1-3 shooting from the field.
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Final
The pre-game prediction of a close contest between Loyola Marymount and San Diego proved accurate, as the Lions ultimately emerged victorious by 12 points. While the margin of victory may have been more significant than anticipated, it was Loyola Marymount's consistent shooting that proved to be the decisive factor. The Lions' ability to convert on offense, particularly from beyond the arc, played a crucial role in their success.
A closer examination of the box score reveals that Loyola Marymount's high eFG% of 66.7% was a key factor in their win. This suggests that the Lions were able to effectively exploit San Diego's defense, whether through inside scoring or outside shooting. Additionally, while San Diego's increased eFG% from 51.0% to 50.9% was a positive development, it was not enough to counter Loyola Marymount's efficiency. Furthermore, Loyola Marymount's significantly lower OREB rate compared to San Diego's likely indicates that the Lions' strong shooting performance was not hindered by a lack of rebounding, allowing them to maintain possession and dictate the pace of the game.
For Loyola Marymount, this Quad 3 win improves their NET ranking, potentially putting them in position for an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament. However, their 0-4 record against Quad 1 opponents remains a significant concern, and they will need to add more quality wins to their resume if they hope to avoid the First Four. As a result, seeding implications are likely to be modest, with a possible 12-seed or worse assignment if they make the tournament. Still, this victory provides a much-needed boost to their at-large credentials. Loyola Marymount's NET ranking now becomes a key factor in determining their seeding, and a significant jump in NET could potentially propel them to a more respectable seeding.