Loyola, With Kimble, Rolls to 140-106 Victory

A caller to Loyola Marymount got some good news Friday night when he heard the score: Loyola over Southern California College, 140-106.

“I won a bet Loyola would outscore all the NBA teams tonight,” the caller said.

Loyola improved to 4-3 as expected against the overmatched Vanguards (3-5), an NAIA team. The 140 points are the second-most ever for Loyola.

Despite the easy win, the game paid several dividends for Loyola--it provided a good run for the Lions, who led by only seven at halftime, and it allowed the Lions to introduce Bo Kimble in a low-key setting.

Kimble’s first game in a Loyola uniform, after missing the start of the season with a knee injury, was an artistic success. The 6-foot 5-inch sophomore managed to score 28 points in 16 minutes. He hit 10 of 17 shots, including 4 of 7 from three-point range, and ran without discomfort on the way to his collegiate high.

Kimble’s transfer partner from USC, Hank Gathers, topped 30 points for the second straight game, finishing with 33 on 16-of-18 shooting.

Three other players were in double figures, as well, with Corey Gaines getting 23 points and 9 assists; Mike Yoest adding 18 points and 11 rebounds, and reserve Marcellus Lee scoring 11 points in 12 minutes.

Guard Todd Dixon led SCC with 26 points and was 7 of 10 from three-point range. Forward Mike Lightfoot added 19 points, guard Kevin Alexander 16.

The Vanguards led for much of the first half as Dixon hit four three-pointers and had 15 points in the half.

The Lions finally surged ahead for good on the foul shooting of Kimble, who hit four in a row to give the Lions a 52-51 lead with 2:20 left in the first half, and the inside work of Gathers, whose power and size were too formidable for the smaller Vanguards.

Gathers had 22 points in the first half, nearly reaching his season average of 24.7, and Loyola stretched the lead at intermission to 62-55.

A 37-7 run midway through the second half put the game away. The Lions shot 59.6% in the game, to the Vanguards’ 58.6% The Lions also had a 51-27 rebounding edge.