Gonzaga Breaks Down, Surrenders At Loyola

Loyola Marymount capitalized on Gonzaga’s defensive breakdowns in the closing minutes to turn a one-point deficit into an 83-69 West Coast Conference men’s basketball victory Friday night.

Ben Ammerman scored a careerhigh 22 points for the Lions (14-6 overall, 4-3 WCC), including five 3-pointers, and had eight rebounds.

“We didn’t compete very well for the first time all year,” Gonzaga coach Dan Fitzgerald said. “It’s the first time we really broke down defensively. You have to play B-plus basketball on the road to win; we probably played C-plus.”

Loyola’s Mike O’Quinn added 14 points and went 10 for 10 from the foul line, Jim Williamson had 13 points and seven assists, and Ime Oduok 10 rebounds.

Center Paul Rogers scored 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead Gonzaga (13-6, 4-3). Kyle Dixon had 15 points and eight assists. Reserve Kevin Williams had 14 points, 12 on 3-pointers.

The Lions took the lead for good at 63-62 on a layup by Kenny Hotopp with 5:18 left. Ammerman added a 3, and Williamson scored four points.

Summary can be found on C6.

, DataTimes