Loyola Can’t Keep Up With Oregon State

Before the start of Wednesday night’s nonconference game between Loyola Marymount and Oregon State, Ralph Miller, the 69-year-old coach of the Beavers, who plans to retire next spring after 38 years of coaching, was honored in a ceremony.

Paul Westhead, Loyola’s coach, presented Miller with a commemorative mug.

Then Miller’s Beavers presented him with his 655th victory, a 100-90 win over the cold-shooting Lions at Gersten Pavilion.

Loyola (1-2) played without its best outside shooter, guard Bo Kimble, and it showed. Hank Gathers had 34 points and 17 rebounds, but the Lions shot 40% (only 34% in the second half), and usually reliable shooter Jeff Fryer made only 4 of 18 shots. Four Loyola players scored all but 3 of the team’s points.

“When we’re under 100 that usually means trouble for us,” Gathers said.

Oregon State (3-0) shot 66% and had 5 players in double figures, led by Eric Knox with 25 points. Knox, who was the floor leader when point guard Gary Payton went to the bench with 4 fouls, scored 25 points. Forwards Earl Martin and Lamont McIntosh each made 6 of 8 shots, as did Payton, who also had 10 assists and 3 steals.

Loyola took a 67-65 lead with 6:16 gone in the second half, and with Payton taking a breather, the Lions appeared to be in position to take control of the game. However, Oregon State scored 7 straight points and went on a 21-9 run that gave the Beavers a 10-point lead by the time Payton returned.

Loyola narrowed the gap to 90-88, but Payton then hit several key free throws, and Loyola failed to make a shot in the final 2:24.

“That was a crucial time when Payton went out of the game,” Westhead said. “I thought our pressure would be even more effective. Instead, it was a 10-point spread when he came back. We had shots to win the game. We created the (running) scenario, we just didn’t have enough crucial shots.”

In a fast-paced first half, Loyola took a short-lived 5-4 lead, then trailed most of the way as the Beavers used an effective fast break. Oregon State scored 9 straight points midway through the half to build a 39-30 advantage. Knox had most of his 13 first-half points in that run.

Loyola rallied with 6 straight points by Gathers, who scored 16 in the half, and finally passed the Beavers with 3 minutes left, taking a 47-46 lead on Enoch Simmons’ 3-point shot. The score was tied at 52-52, before Oregon State took a 55-52 halftime lead.

The Beavers continued to hold the lead early in the second half, but Loyola tied the score at 65-65 on a steal and basket by Gathers, then took its last lead moments later on Gathers’ layup.

Oregon State built an 86-76 lead, keyed by Knox, and held on in the final 7 minutes, which were filled with fouls.