March 8, 2013
LAS VEGAS - The run in the 2013 West Coast Conference Men's
Basketball Championships for the LMU men's basketball continues, as the
Lions claimed their third straight win in as many nights, defeating No. 4
seed Santa Clara, 60-58, on Friday night at Orleans Arena.
Junior Anthony Ireland's driving lay-up with six second remaining gave
the Lions a 59-58 lead. Brandon Clark was fouled on the next possession
for the Santa Clara, but missed the front end of the one-on-one. Senior
walk-on Taylor Walker grabbed the rebound and Ireland was fouled with two
seconds left.
Ireland missed the first but hit the second and Kevin Foster's half-court
shot was long.
"I have been in this business a long time and I really not sure what to
say," said Head Coach Max Good. "I am so proud of these guys and how hard
they have worked, not just in this tournament, but all season, no matter
the circumstance. We are not a pretty team, but we are very gritty and I
am so proud to be a part of this team."
The Lions improbable three-game winning streak, its longest of the
season, in the WCC tournament comes at the heels of their 14-game skid at
the end of the regular season. The Lions (11-22), who entered the
tournament as the No. 9 seed, avenge a 15-point setback to the Broncos
(21-11) just eight days earlier.
Prior to the WCC tournament changing its format in 2003, three straight
wins would earn a team a trip to the NCAA tournament. For the Lions,
their reward is a date with top-ranked Gonzaga in the semifinals on
Saturday at 6 p.m. It will be the Lions first match-up against a No. 1
since the Bill Russell days at San Francisco.
"This team really believes, and I have never been with a group as tight
as they guys," said Good. "As soon as we walk out of here, our attention
is on a golden opportunity. I think any player in the country would love
the chance to play a top-ranked team in a conference tournament."
The Lions were led by Ireland with 23 points, three rebounds, three
assists and seven steals, the most since Damian Martin set the program
record of nine on Dec. 19, 2006. Ashley Hamilton added 13 points and nine
rebounds while freshman Nick Stover came off the bench had 11, his most
since the season opener.
Foster led the Broncos with 23 points with five rebounds. Marc Trasolini,
who had 26 eight days ago, was held to 10 points as no other Bronco had
double figures.
LMU held Santa Clara, who hit 51 percent last week, to 39.6 percent
shooting from the field. The Lions hit 41.4 percent. LMU out-rebounded
the Lions 37-31 as Alex Osborne tied a career-high with 11.
"We continue to get solid play from everyone that enters the game," said
Good. "Walker's rebound at the end was key. I really got on Ashley at one
point in the game and he responded big. And Anthony, what can you say
about Anthony."
The Lions closed the first half on a 16-6 run to erase a 10-point deficit
as the game was tied at 34-34 at the break.
Santa Clara would go up six on a 7-0 run in the second half on jumper by
Foster with 11:15 to play. The lead would never go larger than six and
trailing 53-48, the Lions went on a 9-0 run, capped by a pair of Ireland
fee throws with 2:39 to play giving the Lions a 57-53 lead.
The Broncos and Foster would not go away as he scored five straight
points, including a pair of free throws with 25 seconds left to take a
one-point lead to set-up the final seconds and Ireland's winner.
From LMULions.com