SportsScope : Lions Seek Tighter Grip on First Place

Loyola Marymount University will be looking to extend its four-game winning streak and maintain its tie for first place in the West coast Athletic Conference when it plays host to the universities of Santa Clara and San Francisco on Friday and Saturday. The Santa Clara game begins at 7:30 p.m. The USF game begins at 8 p.m. after ceremonies honoring the first inductees in Loyola’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

The Lions, 10-6 overall and 2-0 in the WCAC, will also be looking to win their first game against USF since 1971. Of course, this isn’t the same USF powerhouse as in the past. The Dons are playing their first season under Coach Jim Brovelli since dropping the sport for three years ago after several scandals involving athletes. Loyola last beat Santa Clara in 1981. The Dons are 6-10 overall, 1-1 in the WCAC. Santa Clara has an identical record. Loyola is tied with Pepperdine for the WCAC lead.

The Lions’ high-scoring duo of Keith Smith and Forrest Walton-McKenzie rank 1-2 in the conference in scoring with averages of 24.8 and 19.9. Smith is now within seven points of McKenzie in career scoring, so the record, which had stood for 15 years, could go back and forth weekly. Sophomore Mark Armstrong continues to lead the WCAC in rebounding at 9.2 per game. McKenzie is second at 7.9. Smith leads in assists with an average of 6.3.

Santa Clara, in a rebuilding season, is led by senior guards Steve Kenilvort, averaging 17 points, 5.7 rebonds and 4 assists, and Ken Mulkey out of Long Beach St. Anthony’s High, averaging 9.7 points. USF’s first-year lineup includes 6-11 Peter Reitz, 6-5 forward Anthony Mann--the leading scorer with an 11.2-point average--and guards Jimmy Giron and Mike D’Aloisio. Forward Mark McCathrion, a 6-8 freshmen, is the second-leading scorer as sixth man, averaging 10.6 points.

The Cal State Dominguez Hills basketball team, trying to get back into the California Collegiate Athletic Assn. race, makes the rugged trip to Bakersfield and San Luis Obispo on Friday and Saturday. The Toros are 6-10 overall and 1-2 in the CCAA after losing both home games last weekend. Bakersfield, 10-6 overall, is also 1-2 in the CCAA. Cal Poly SLO is 12-4 and 2-1. Cal State Los Angeles and UC Riverside lead the CCAA at 3-0. They play each other Saturday.

Junior forward William Alexander continues to lead the Toros. he had 25 points against Cal State L.A. and is averaging 16.4 points on 55% shooting. Freshman Tony Akins is averaging 18.2 points but has managed only 33 points in three conference games. Alexander needs nine points to move ahead of Kevin Burrell into third place on the school career scoring list.