Last-Second Free Throws Lift Ramblers Over Lions

WCC/Pac-10

Derek Molis sank two free throws with 3.1 seconds left to lift Loyola of Chicago to a 66-65 win over Loyola Marymount 66-65 Thursday in Chicago.

The Chicago Ramblers (3-5) had tied the score at 64 on a Donyale Bush basket with 45 seconds remaining. Ime Oduok put the Lions (8-2) up 65-64 by making one of two foul shots with 18 seconds on the clock. Molis then drove the baseline and was fouled.

Molis paced the Ramblers with 18 points and Bush added 17.

Marymount converted 10 of its first 13 shots to take a 23-21 lead, but the Ramblers rallied for a 34-29 edge at halftime.

Notre Dame 90, San Diego 63

At South Bend, Ind., the Irish (4-4) rode an impressive first half defensive effort and Pat Garrity’s 18 points to a win over the Toreros (4-5).

Notre Dame forced 21 first half turnovers, including 13 steals, to win its second game in a row.

The Irish took advantage of San Diego turnovers to bust out to a 48-24 halftime edge.

Boston U. 75, Pepperdine 61

At Albuquerque, Raja Bell’s 21 points and Joey Beard’s 18 points and 12 rebounds carried the Terriers (4-4) through a pair of scoring droughts to victory over the Waves (6-4) in the opening round of the Lobo Invitational.

Beard, who transferred from Duke last December and became eligible last week, hit 7 of 10 shots and steadied a Boston offense that went without a field goal for more than 6 minutes in the first half and missed its first 11 shots of the second half.

Stanford 80, American 52

At Stanford, Calif., Andy Poppink tied his Stanford career high with 25 points in 25 minutes of playing time to lead the Cardinal (5-2) to its victory over American University (4-5).

Poppink, moved to power forward by coach Mike Montgomery following a back injury to starting center Tim Young, had his way offensively all night. The 6-7 senior hit 11 of 12 from the field - mostly on offensive rebounds and driving layups - and sank three of four from the line.

California 75, Holy Cross 64

At Oakland, Calif., Ed Gray scored 20 points off the bench and Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Randy Duck each had 13 as the Bears (5-2) beat the Crusaders to advance to the championship round of the Otis Spunkmeyer Classic.

Cal will face Kansas State in tonight’s title game. The Wildcats beat Loyola-Maryland 76-69 earlier Thursday.