LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Anthony Ireland scored 18 points and handed out 11 assists as Loyola Marymount beat Northern Arizona 90-78 Sunday night.
After the Lions (4-0) jumped to an early lead, the Lumberjacks responded with a 7-0 run and tied the score at 9-9 with 14:29 left in the half.
The Lumberjacks later closed the half on a 6-0 spurt, with all six points coming from Quinton Upshur, and headed into the break trailing 35-36.
Max Jacobsen, who finished with a game and career-high 28 points, gave NAU (1-3) a 50-49 lead on a jumper with 14:14 remaining. Loyola Marymount, however, went on a 17-5 run capped by Evan Payne's steal and dunk, which extended the Lions' lead to 66-55 with 10:40 to go.
The Lumberjacks wouldn't get closer than seven the rest of the way.
Gabe Levin added 15 points and 10 rebounds for Loyola Marymound.
Upshur scored a career-high 25 points for NAU and added five rebounds.
“We felt that we needed to attack in the paint tonight,” said NAU coach Jack Murphy. “We have to continue to work on our man defense along with working on our rotation so that we’re not as tired. It’s a step-by-step process, but I’m confident that we will get there.”
The Lumberjacks shot 46.8 percent (29 for 62) from the floor and 70.8 percent (17 for 24) from the free-throw line. The Lions shot 55.4 percent (36 for 65) from the field and 92.9 percent (13 for 14) from the line.
