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Gonzaga Basketball

Loyola Marymount freshman Eli Scott provides interior production

Gonzaga forward Killian Tillie challenges Loyola Marymount’s Eli Scott in the Zags’ 85-66 road win in early January. (Reed Saxon / Associated Press)
Gonzaga forward Killian Tillie challenges Loyola Marymount’s Eli Scott in the Zags’ 85-66 road win in early January. (Reed Saxon / Associated Press)
By Jim Meehan jimm@spokesman.com(509) 459-5585

Point guard James Batemon is Loyola Marymount’s leading scorer, wing Steven Haney hit five 3-pointers and scored 22 points in the first GU-LMU meeting, but we’re going with Eli Scott as the key matchup.

The 6-foot-5, 224-pound freshman scored just six points in Gonzaga’s 85-66 win in January but responded with nine straight games in double figures, including double-doubles against BYU and Saint Mary’s in the last two weeks. He’s grabbed at least seven rebounds in his last seven games.

Scott averages 13.1 points, a team-high 7.2 rebounds and ranks second with 52 assists. The sturdy forward can get to the rim and apply foul pressure on opponents. He’s shooting nearly 50 percent from the field.

Gonzaga could go with wing Zach Norvell Jr. or size with 6-foot-10 Killian Tillie on Scott.