USC Plays Host to Portland; Loyola Opens With Azusa Pacific

Loyola Marymount’s basketball season is off and running tonight when the Lions play host to Azusa Pacific at 7:30 p.m.

Loyola, ranked as high as 17th in preseason polls, is led by forward Hank Gathers and guard Bo Kimble, last season’s leading scorers.

The Lions led the nation in scoring last season with a 110.3-point average.

Loyola is expected to start a three-guard lineup of Enoch Simmons, Jeff Fryer and Kimble, with Gathers and Per Stumer at forward.

Azusa Pacific, an NAIA opponent, is 2-0 and averaging 85 points under Terry Layton, the Cougars’ first new coach in 32 years. Center Michael Benton is scoring 19 points per game.