Loyola Beats St. Mary’s, 81-72, Takes Sole Possession of First Place in WCAC

Forrest McKenzie scored a game-high 23 points, and Keith Smith added 19 as Loyola Marymount defeated St. Mary’s, 81-72, Thursday night to take undisputed possession of first place in the West Coast Athletic Conference.

McKenzie also had 10 rebounds.

Loyola led by as many as 15 points in the second half, but St. Mary’s battled back to close within two at 72-70 with 2:13 left in the game.

But Loyola’s Mike Yoest scored five straight points to put the game out of reach and seal the Lions’ seventh straight victory. Loyola is 13-6 overall and 5-0 in the WCAC.

St. Mary’s was led by Daryl Smith with 19 points and Scott Mayer with 14. With the loss, the Gaels’ record fell to 9-9 overall and 2-3 in the conference.