Lions and Waves Open Their Home WCAC Schedules

Loyola Marymount will open its home conference basketball season tonight at 7:30 against Portland at Gersten Pavilion. The Lions will play host to Gonzaga Saturday night.

Loyola is 8-6 overall, 1-1 in the West Coast Athletic Conference and 6-1 at home. Portland (also 8-6, 1-1) is 1-5 on the road.

Loyola continues to get strong scoring and rebounding from forward Mike Yoest, who averages 22 points and 7.6 rebounds, and forward Mark Armstrong, who averages 13.4 points and 11 rebounds and has grabbed 27 rebounds in Loyola’s first two conference games.

Center Vic Lazzaretti is averaging about 16 points and 11 rebounds in six games as a starter. All three are shooting 52% or better. The other Lion in double figures is guard Chris Nikchevich, averaging 13.4 points and leading the WCAC in assists at 8.2 per game.

The Lions are scoring 90.3 points a game but are allowing 89.4. Portland, led by guard Greg Attaway’s 16-point average, is scoring 65.4 points a game and giving up 64.9. Loyola is shooting 47%, compared to Portland’s 43%.