It took an extra five minutes but the Lions picked up their second win in a row here in Vegas. The team that couldn't win more than once during WCC play has more than doubled their total against WCC opponents this season.
Change for the better should be the motto for the LMU offense over the past few games. This offense, once a model of scoring inequality, has become something of a scoring socialism. While Ireland would once again lead the team in the end he needed the extra period to get there. Last night, for only the fifth time in the season, someone other than Ireland led the team. That someone would be Ashley Hamilton.
Tonight it was Godwin Okonji who filled that role in regulation. Okonji contributed 14 points in an exceptionally efficient way. He was 6-7 from the field and 2-2 from the line. Taylor Walker chipped in 13 points of his own including two of the Lions three pointers. Ashley Hamilton added 11.
Anthony Ireland picked up where he left off yesterday, quietly. Ireland had only four points in the first half. To start the second half though Ireland returned to his high octane offensive ways and went on a quick 5-0 run. Ireland finished with eight points in the second half and added another four in OT. The Lions scored only five points in the extra period.
The Dons couldn't get into their usual style of play from the beginning and unlike LMU they didn't thrive because of it. Cody Doolin was taking threes instead of driving to the hoop. Cole Dickerson tried to pick up the slack. His 23 point, 18 rebound night would normally be enough to do just that. However, the Dons couldn't buy a bucket at the free throw line. It took 11 attempts before the Dons could get a point from the charity stripe, they would finish shooting a meager 8-19. That was the difference in the game.
The Lions advance to play the only WCC team they beat in the regular season, #4 Santa Clara, Friday at 6:00 PM.
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