Anteaters’ Hunter sinks LMU

LOS ANGELES — Host Loyola Marymount made itself at home in its first game of the season at Gersten Pavilion, Wednesday night, making 10 of its first 12 field-goal attempts on its way to an eventual 14-point advantage.

But then UC Irvine decided to put a stop to it. Then another. Then a few more after that.

The resulting increase in defensive intensity helped turn the tide, allowing the Anteaters to come all the way back for an 84-78 nonconference triumph.

As crucial as its defense was, the Anteaters ultimately relied on some clutch offensive execution to put the game away in the final 64 seconds.

Senior guard Michael Hunter netted a three-pointer with 1:04 left to break a 74-74 tie.

After LMU (1-3) pulled within one on a 16-foot jumper by Lee Viney with 53 seconds remaining, Hunter and sophomore Eric Wise worked their two-man game for a second straight possession.

The result was another three-pointer from the left wing for Hunter, who had hit just one of seven three-point tries before his two decisive daggers to the heart of the Lions. Hunter, who led UCI with 67 three-pointers last season, when he shot 39.2% from beyond the arc, in fact, was just three of 16 this season from threedom (18.8%) this season, until delivering with the game on the line.

Hunter finished with 17 points, matching Wise for team-high scoring honors.

But there were plenty of heroes for the visitors (2-1).

Junior Pavol Loshonsky came off the bench to amass 14 points and a game-high 10 rebounds in 23 minutes. His presence helped UCI forge an 18-2 run that spanned the end of the first half and the start of the second.

UCI scored the first nine points after intermission to take its first lead at 42-40.

An LMU layin with 14:27 left in the game ended a span of 10:35 in which it managed just two field goals.

The game was, however, a seesaw affair until Hunter stepped up, rather back – behind the three-point line – to give the Anteaters their first road win of the season.

LMU led, 74-72, until freshman Mike Wilder converted a transition layup to pull the ’Eaters even with 2:36 left.

Hunter took a charge on the ensuing possession and the teams then exchanged misses until Hunter knocked down the first of his late three balls.

Loshonsky made both ends of a one-and-one free-throw situation wit 15 seconds left. Then, after a Lions’ layup, sophomore Patrick Rembert netted two foul shots to finalize the scoring with eight seconds left.

Junior Darren Moore had 13 points and was one of the defensive leaders, helping UCI earn a 16-10 advantage in the turnover department.

Senior Zack Atkinson was also a strong defensive presence, blocking four shots to go with his nine points and six rebounds. Atkinson was the lone ’Eater to reach 50% from the field (four of eight), as UCI converted just two of its first 12 field-goal tries.

UCI made 18 of 35 second-half field-goal tries to finish 47% from the field.

Meanwhile, the Lions shot just 37% from the field after intermission to finish at 44.8% for the game.