LMU improves to 9-22 on the season and advances to face #5 San Francisco on Thursday.
Portland falls to 11-21 and the Pilots' season comes to an end.
It took all season but at the last possible moment the Lions figured it out. Anthony Ireland's 20.4 points per game might be the 12th best in the nation but it's no way to win games. Ashley Hamilton decided to put up 21 points in a game high 36 minutes. Ireland on the other hand had a respectable 12 points.
The Pilots' defense focused on Ireland all game. He was doubled nearly every trip down the floor and repeatedly ended up laying in the paint due to physical defense from Portland. All that attention on Ireland helped open the floor up for others like Hamilton and Alex Osborne. Those two threw down some awesome dunks late in the game to help put the Pilots away for good.
The Pilots have the worst offense in the WCC and it was once again on display tonight. Putting up only 54 points, six under the season average, on 42.9% shooting. In the second half the Pilots shot only 34.8% while the Lions managed to hit a clean 50% of their shots. Ryan Nicholas was one rebound short of a double-double with nine rebounds and 18 points. Kevin Bailey led the scoring charge for the Pilots with 21, tied with Ashley Hamilton for the game high. While the Pilots season comes to a close the future is bright for this young team considering both Nicholas and Bailey will be back next season (barring the ever-looming transfer possibility).
The Lions went 1-15 in the WCC regular season but have now put that memory behind them with an upset, albeit minor, here in the Opening Round of the WCC Tournament.
No comments:
Post a Comment