The size and depth of the Florida State Seminoles proved too much for the Loyola Marymount Lions on Sunday afternoon, as the Lions fell 77-61 at The Tucker Center in Tallahassee. It was the first road loss of the season for LMU in just their third game away from home.
Bernard James had 17 points and 12 rebounds to lead Florida State (8-3), and Okaro White chipped in with 11 rebounds to go with his seven points. Florida State outrebounded Loyola Marymount 49-32 for the game. The Lions have lost to the Seminoles in each of the last two seasons, the only two meetings between the two schools in their history.
The Lions trailed just 16-15 with nine minutes remaining in the first half, but went ice cold for the remainder of the half. Loyola Marymount made just three of their final 12 field goals of the half, including four missed layups, and were outscored 22-8 by the Seminoles, who took a 38-23 lead into halftime. LMU shot just 28% from the field in the first half (seven of 25) and committed 11 turnovers.
Anthony Ireland led Loyola Marymount with 19 points, and C.J. Blackwell contributed 14 points and seven rebounds off the bench. Loyola Marymount (6-5) next plays on Wednesday night in Baltimore, Maryland against the Morgan St. Bears.