Montana St. Beats Loyola Marymount

Kral Ferch, a 6-4 sophomore forward, had 17 points to lead Montana State to a 78-60 win Friday night over Loyola Marymount at Bozeman, Mont.

Steve Epperly, a senior guard, paced Montana State to a 38-25 halftime lead with 12 first-half points, and the Lions could only close to within seven late in the game behind the play of freshman reserve guard Steve Haney, who scored 10 points.

Loyola Marymount’s Keith Smith, who had averaged 26.3 points per game before Friday night, was held to 11 points, shooting 3 of 16 from the floor. Senior forward Steve Haderlein led the Lions with 14 points and six rebounds, while center Tryg Johnson added 14 points for Montana State (5-8).

Loyola Marymount (5-6) meets Montana tonight at Missoula.