San Luis Obispo, CA (Sports Network) - Dylan Royer scored 12 points, including
the game-winning 3-pointer in the waning seconds, as the Cal Poly Mustangs
delivered a heartbreaking blow to the Loyola Marymount Lions, 63-60, as part
of BracketBusters weekend at Mott Gymnasium.
Brian Bennett shot 9-of-11 from the field and 5-of-5 from the foul line to
lead all scorers with 23 points for Cal Poly (13-12), which has won four of
five. Chris Eversley netted 13 points and Jamal Johnson added eight assists
for the home team.
Anthony Ireland poured in 19 points for LMU (8-20), which also fell victim to
a buzzer-beater in Thursday night's loss to San Francisco. Taylor Walker
chipped in 12 points, Alex Osborne had 11 points and Ashley Hamilton hauled in
10 rebounds.
Both teams shot greater than 52 percent from the field in the first half, but
Loyola Marymount carried a 39-32 lead into intermission thanks to a 4-of-8
showing from 3-point range. Cal Poly went just 1-of-8 from beyond the arc in
the opening 20 minutes.
LMU continued to lead late in the second half until a 5-0 run by the Mustangs
tied the game at 57-57 with under three minutes remaining. The Lions answered
with a Chase Flint 3-pointer to go back up, but the Mustangs knotted the score
again on their ensuing possession following a traditional three-point play by
Eversley. After an empty possession by LMU, Cal Poly was left with one last
chance to win the game and Royer came up big with the long-range bucket with
0.7 seconds left on the clock. Ireland heaved a shot from beyond halfcourt at
the buzzer but LMU's prayers were not answered.
Cal Poly cashed in with 19 points off of 15 LMU turnovers.
GAME NOTES:
The Sports Network