Loyola Gains Share of First, Beats Portland

Loyola Marymount woke up in the final minute to score a 70-67 victory over Portland and gain a share of first place in the West Coast Athletic Conference before a crowd of 1,255 Friday night at Gersten Pavilion.

The victory left Loyola 9-6 overall and 2-1 in conference. The Lions play host to co-leader Gonzaga tonight at 7:30.

With Portland (8-7 and 1-2) slowing the pace, Loyola had trouble putting together a good run until Coach Paul Westhead went to a three-guard offense with the score, 38-38.

The Lions then scored seven straight points and outscored Portland 16-9 over the next six minutes to take the lead, 54-47. Dennis Vogel was instrumental in this stretch, scoring 7 points in 10 minutes. Loyola maintained comfortable leads until 3 1/2 minutes remained, when Portland freshman Greg Anthony took over and nearly won the game.

Anthony’s three-pointer pulled Portland to within three, 59-56, and a free throw cut the lead to two. Loyola forward Mark Armstrong made two free throws with 3:09 left but Portland’s Thomas Thompson hit a three-pointer to make it a one-point game.

When Loyola guard Chris Nikchevich threw away the in-bounds pass, Portland got the ball to Anthony, who scored from the left corner for a 62-61 Portland lead.

Loyola center Vic Lazzaretti hit two free throws and moments later combined with Mike Yoest to give Loyola a 65-62 lead. Anthony then scored on a short jumper. Nikchevich followed with a driving layup but Anthony sank a three-pointer to tie the score, 67-67, with 55 seconds left.

Loyola ran off some time before Yoest found Lazzaretti for a layup and foul for the game’s final points with 27 seconds left.