Happy New Year

Happy New Year!

Loyola Marymount served as the 2009 bookends for Seattle
University. SU entered 2009 like a Lion by dispatching of
the visiting Lions at Key Arena on the very first day of
the year. Nearly a year to the day Seattle ended 2009 with
a loss to the transformed LMU club. Loyola Marymount does
not even resemble the team that limped into Key Arena last
January. Coaching stability, two power conference
transfers and health have stabilized the LMU program as
they have surged to five wins in a row. They won 3 all of
last season. It was a difficult matchup for Seattle as
they look to pick up the pieces at home against another
thorny opponent January 2nd at Key Arena.

News and Notes from the LMU Loss-

– Loyola Marymount had not reached the 100 point mark
since January 29, 1998.

– LMU is celebrating the 20th anniversary of their
historic 1989-90 team. The team averaged 122 points per
game under the guidance of Paul Westhead. The season took
a tragic turn when star Hank Gather collapsed during a WCC
tournament game and passed away. Bo Kimble would lead LMU
to the Elite 8 shooting the first free-throw of every game
left-handed in honor of his fallen teammate. He would make
all three.

– Bo Kimble averaged 35 points a game and was taken in the
following NBA draft by SU legend Elgin Baylor and the Los
Angeles Clippers

– For some high entertainment take a look at some of the
box scores from the run and gun Lions here. For
example – 12/19/89- LMU 117 Oregon State 113 at Corvallis.
LMU- Bo Kimble- 53 points 12 rebounds 21-27 FG 10-11 FT.
OSU- Gary Payton- 48 points 10 assists 22-31 FG. Imagine
what GP had to say in that one. Classic

– Coming into the LMU game SU was second in the nation in
FT attempts (397) behind Kansas State. Seattle had marched
to stripe just over 30 times a game, but only managed 19
trips against LMU. The Lions took 45 free throws.

– Charles Garcia has not played more than 25 minutes in
each of the last 3 games due to foul trouble.

– Mike Boxley torched the twine for a career high 21
points. He was 3-5 from downtown as he topped his previous
best of 18 points.

– Cervante Burrell bounced back with 4 assists after a
donut against Denver. He had averaged 6 assists a game in
the last 5 before the mile high matchup.

– Gavin Gilmore chipped in five points. He had just two in
the last three games in total.

– Peter Harris appears to have found a spot in the
rotation. Harris contributed 6 points in 16 minutes and
played solid defense.

– Vernon Teel was two rebounds away from a triple-double.
24 points 10 assist and 8 boards.

– Seattle gave up a season high 59% shooting vs LMU. The
Lions were a blistering 16-24 in the second half-
66.7%.

SU is back in action against Harvard at Key Arena Saturday
at 2:00 pm. Tune in on 710 ESPN Seattle