Robinson takes control

LOS ANGELES – Nate Robinson scored 20 of his 28 points in the second half and blocked three shots in leading No. 16 Washington to a 100-93 non-conference men’s basketball victory over Loyola Marymount.

The game was tied at 46 at halftime, but over the next 20 minutes, Robinson hit three of four 3-point attempts while also spinning off a medley of layups and jumpers. He finished 9 of 15 from the field, including 4 of 6 from beyond the arc, but made just six of 11 free throws.

“We had four different players on him,” Loyola Marymount coach Steve Aggers said. “We did a good job on Nate in the first half, and then he did what all really good players do and exploded.”

Tre Simmons added a career-high 26 points for Washington (7-1), which also got 21 points from forward Bobby Jones, who was 9 of 9 from the free throw line.

The Huskies are off to their best start in seven seasons with the only loss coming at Gonzaga.

Washington committed 11 turnovers and missed seven of 14 free throws in the first half. The Lions took a 51-46 lead and an upset seemed possible.

Led by Robinson, Washington went on an 18-2 run and led by as much as 89-73 with 4:43 to play.

“The bottom line,” Washington coach Lorenzo Romar said, “We have too much at stake. We haven’t been winning long enough. We can’t relax against anybody.”

Dustin Brown and Brandon Worthy each had 18 points for Loyola Marymount (5-2).

Loyola erased a 26-19 deficit with a 10-0 run, and the Lions took their first lead at 39-37 on a layup by Damian Martin with 3:17 left in the first half.

Washington finished 19 of 29 from the free throw line, while the Lions were 20 of 25. The Huskies outrebounded the Lions 35-34.

The Huskies start a five-game homestand next Sunday with No. 12 North Carolina State.