The LMU Lions basketball team concluded it's holiday swing of East Coast schools tonight against the Morgan St. Bears, and they were met by an unrelenting sleuth that left the Lions wounded with the final of score 69-45. The game was the final non-conference road game of the season for the Lions, who have just two home games remaining before West Coast Conference play begins. This was LMU's first trip to Hill Field House, though Morgan St. has played at LMU twice.
While it's not surprising LMU ran out of gas on their fourth straight game on the other side of the country, it is surprising that it came against the previously 1-7 Bears. After seven straight loses to open the season, the Bears have turned it around with a 13 point defeat of Maryland - Baltimore County and not the 24 point defeat of the Lions.
Dewayne Jackson was the standout for Morgan St., scoring 14 points to go along with 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 steals. Anthony Ireland was the offensive creator for LMU, with 11 assists as well as 6 points and 8 rebounds. However, he only shot 33% from the field and coughed up 3 turnovers.
LMU as a team only shot 35% from the field, while Morgan St. shot with 47% accuracy. That included a great night from behind the arc for Morgan St. where they shot 32%. LMU turned the ball over 18 times, and only C.J. Blackwell broke double digit scoring with 10 points.