Loyola Marymount Stuns Pepperdine This Time : College basketball: Cobi McElroy scores 17 and Lions come on strong down stretch to end eight-game losing streak against the Waves.

In a trying season, Loyola Marymount has lost more than its share of close games.

But the Lions’ fortunes finally turned for the better Wednesday night in a shocking 76-74 upset of longtime rival Pepperdine in a West Coast Conference game at Firestone Fieldhouse in Malibu.

The Waves, 10-7 overall and 2-3 in the WCC, had defeated Loyola eight straight times and the Lions had lost 14 of their first 15 games this season. Loyola, which improved to 1-4 in the WCC, had also lost 16 consecutive road games and 14 straight in WCC play.

But it was hardly noticeable by the way the Lions played down the stretch.

“Down the stretch everybody was just so confident,” reserve guard Cobi McElroy said. “We just knew we’d win this game. We were playing too good not to win.”

McElroy was one of three Lions with career highs. McElroy finished with 17 points, center Ime Oduok had 18 and guard Jim Williamson added 15.

It was Oduok who finally put the Lions ahead to stay, 73-70, on a layup and a free throw with 4:11 remaining.

Guard Rahim Harris scored the final points for Loyola on a three-point basket that gave the Lions a 76-72 lead with 3:29 remaining. Little did anyone realize that the total would be enough for the Lions.

Trailing 76-74 with one second remaining, Pepperdine had one last chance for the win when guard Bryan Parker intercepted an errant pass beyond midcourt. But his desperation shot was wide.

Loyola Coach John Olive said it was one of the biggest victories in his coaching stint at the school.

“If you’re going to get a close one, this is the one to get,” he said. “To get it in their gym, where they’ve had so much success, is truly a big feat for this team.”

Pepperdine, which has lost seven games by a total of 26 points, was led by forward Dana Jones with 23 points and 13 rebounds.

Pepperdine took a seven-point lead, 17-10, on a layup by center Gavin Vanderputten with 12:16 remaining. But Loyola followed with a 10-2 run to regain the lead at 20-19.

The Lions stretched their advantage to 33-24 on a layup by forward Wyking Jones with 4:10 remaining before Pepperdine started its comeback.

The Waves were led in the half by Jones with 13 points and nine rebounds and Damin Lopez with 11 points. The Lions were led by Oduok and Jones with nine points each.

Pepperdine played most of the game without center Derek Noether, who injured his arch and did not return.