Lions Get Washed Away By Pepperdine

Conference play has finally started for all West Coast Conference teams with Pepperdine’s 69-56 victory over Loyola Marymount in the books.

Though the Lions didn’t exactly get off to an ideal start in the WCC, I believe there is still some reason to be optimistic. There were a few positives from this matchup that should be taken into account.

First off, three players scored in double figures for LMU. I know the first thought that probably comes to mind is, “…This is something worth noticing?” But for a team like Loyola Marymount that is still working to mesh together and form some chemistry under coach Mike Dunlap, this is absolutely an accomplishment.

Nov 15, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Loyola Marymount Lions forward Marin Mornar (42) attempts a shot defended by Boise State Broncos forward David Wacker (33) during the second half at Albert Gersten Pavilion. The Boise State Broncos defeated the Loyola Marymount Lions 77-69. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Evan Payne once again led his team in scoring with 15 points, while Marin Mornar and Patson Siame notched 11 each. And there’s what’s so special: Mornar hadn’t posted double figures in scoring since LMU’s second game of the season, when he dropped 13 points against Boise State on November 15. This was only the second game this season where Siame had double digits on the stat sheet, with his first coming against a Division II San Diego Christian College team.

It was refreshing to see some newer faces joining Evan Payne and co. in the scoring column. Downside? Loyola Marymount missed all six of their three point attempts, went 21 of 52 from the floor (40.4 percent), and started off conference play with a loss on their home court.

Pepperdine, on the other hand, got off to exactly the start they were hoping for.

Jett Raines led his team with 17 points and seven rebounds, nearly achieving his second double-double of the season (with his first coming in the victory over Cal Lutheran). The only other player to score in double figures for the Waves was guard Amadi Udenyi, who had 11 points and went 3-4 from the arc. The contributions from the remainder of the team, though, were solid enough to lock this game up for the Waves.

It was a resilient team effort by Pepperdine – they led throughout the entire game and made eight of their 14 attempted three pointers.

Oh, and you should start to remember the name Jett Raines. In our X-Factor series over the summer, we predicted that Jett was going to be a game-changer for Pepperdine. And so far, he’s making us look pretty good with that call. Combined with tonight’s performance, Jett has already had seven games in which he scored in double figures. He and Stacy Davis compose a nasty, gritty scoring duo that’s going to give any team in the WCC trouble (yes, even Gonzaga).

Next, the Waves will host St. Mary’s in a tough matchup on December 1 at 8:00 pm ET, while Loyola Marymount welcomes Pacific to Gersten Pavilion on December 1 at 4:00 pm ET.