UC San Diego defeats LMU 57-67
UC San Diego Edges LMU in Tight Non-Conference Battle
In a hard-fought contest at the Gersten Pavilion, UC San Diego (AWAY) emerged victorious, defeating LMU (HOME) 67-57 on Thursday night.
The away team took an early lead, but the home crowd's energy kept the game close throughout. At halftime, LMU trailed by just two points, 26-34, as the visitors' defense stifled the Lions' offense. The second half saw UC San Diego maintain its edge, with the largest lead coming at 11 points.
Leo Beath led the away team in scoring with 13 points, shooting 33.3% from the field. Aidan Burke was a force on the glass, grabbing nine rebounds and contributing seven points.
On the other side, Rodney Brown Jr. paced LMU with 19 points, including five makes from beyond the arc. Jalen Shelley added six rebounds and eight points, while Jan Vide chipped in with five assists and four points.
The game was a battle of efficiency, with both teams struggling to find their rhythm on offense. UC San Diego shot 46% from the field, including just four makes from three-point range, while LMU connected on 30% of its attempts. The away team, however, excelled in free-throw shooting, making 47% of their attempts.
Advanced statistics told a similar story, with both teams relying heavily on interior play. UC San Diego outrebounded LMU 43-30, including 46 points in the paint. Meanwhile, the away team's turnover rate was slightly lower, at 22.5%, compared to LMU's 25.4%.
The win improves UC San Diego's standing as they navigate their non-conference schedule. For LMU, the loss serves as a reminder that even against less-experienced opponents, consistency is key.