Loyola’s 76-62 Win Over USF Ends a 15-Year Losing Streak

Before a crowd of 3,840, the largest ever to see a basketball game on campus, Loyola Marymount ended a 15-year losing streak against the University of San Francisco with a 76-62 victory Saturday night.

The victory kept the Lions tied with Pepperdine for the lead in the West Coast Athletic Conference at 4-0 and raised their overall record to 12-6, including six wins in a row.

It enabled the Lions to end a 22-game losing streak to the Dons dating to the 1970-71 season.

However, this is a rebuilding program for the Dons, while the resurgent Lions are enjoying their best season in decades showcasing their senior stars, Keith Smith and Forrest McKenzie.

Smith led all scorers with 24 points and McKenzie added 15. They led a first-half charge that produced a 39-25 halftime lead. Smith had 14 points on 7 for 10 shooting and McKenzie had 13, making six of eight shots as Loyola shot 60% in the half. “They came out early and shot the lights out on us,” USF Coach Jim Brovelli said.

Sophomore forward Mark Armstrong added 10 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. Fred Bradford also had 10 points.

The loss dropped USF to 6-12 and 1-3. Freshman Mark McCathrion led the Dons with 12 points.

Smith, who entered the game two points behind McKenzie in career scoring, is now Loyola’s all-time scorer, seven ahead of his teammate.

USF held an early 9-8 lead until the Dons got into a running game with the Lions, who ran off four quick fast-break baskets. “It was nice to be able to run a little bit tonight,” Loyola Coach Paul Westhead said. “I don’t really think USF wanted to.”

Westhead enjoyed the crowd, noting, “I think they (players) can sense the growing interest from the university.”

The crowd was obviously thinking ahead. When Loyola built a 68-47 lead and Westhead cleared the bench, the student section chanted, “We want the Waves.”