Big second half, Teel's double-double lead Lions past Toreros

Vernon Teel led the Lions in points, rebounds and assists in the win | Courtesy of Facebook

Outscoring the Toreros by ten in the second half, the Lions evened up their WCC record tonight after a 67-58 victory. Senior guard Vernon Teel led LMU with his fifth double-double of the season, contributing a team-high 16 points, 12 rebounds and six assists. He also went a 8-9 from the free throw line.

The Lions evened their season record at 8-8 and their WCC record at 1-1. University of San Diego fell to 0-2 in conference play.

Freshman Anthony Ireland and junior Drew Viney also reached double-figures for the Lions, scoring 15 points and 10 points, respectively.

The Lions picked it up after a lackluster first half in which they allowed themselves to get outrebounded by three. They trailed by one at the break. In the second half, LMU outrebounded San Diego 26-13.

"In the first half it seemed like we were trying hard, but not working hard," said Head Coach Max Good in a press release after the game. "I know it sounds like a contradiction, but we had good intent, but we weren't working hard to get the result we wanted. In the second half we worked hard on the glass and it paid off in the end." 

LMU shared the ball well in the game, picking up assists on 15 of the team's 20 made baskets.

Up next, the Lions will head out on what might be the toughest road trip of the season, taking on Portland on Thursday and WCC-powerhouse Gonzaga on Saturday. Thursday's game can be seen on ESPN2 and tips off at 8 p.m. Portland is 0-1 in WCC play after falling to Gonzaga tonight.