Kimble Returns, Scores 29 to Lead Loyola, 144-92

Bo Kimble made a successful return to the Loyola Marymount starting lineup Friday night, and the Lions marked the occasion by breaking three conference scoring records with a 144-92 victory over Portland.

Loyola’s total set a record for West Coast Athletic Conference games, as did the Lions’ 54 field goals and 13 three-pointers. The output enabled the Lions (15-9 overall) to stay within one game of first in the WCAC at 8-3. Portland fell to 2-22 and 2-9.

Hank Gathers paced Loyola with 32 points and 9 rebounds. Jeff Fryer added 23 points, including five three-pointers.

However, Lion Coach Paul Westhead was happiest to see the return to form of Kimble, the 6-foot 5-inch junior guard who has been recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery. Making his first start since Dec. 1, Kimble scored a season-high 29 points in 26 minutes, hitting all three three-point attempts and grabbing nine rebounds.

“Hopefully, we timed (his return) just right,” Westhead said. “We eased him in a few games, and now we’ve got three or four games to start him. His physical timing is back, his shot’s going, his cutting is much better.”

Loyola shot a season-high 67.4% and hit 13 of 23 three-pointers. Portland played without leading scorer Josh Lowery, who was suspended earlier this week after an off-campus fight.

Freshman guard Eric Spoelstra led the Pilots with 17 points. The Lions play host to Gonzaga in their last home game tonight.