Lions to face tough test today in Spokane

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After finding themselves on the losing side of a thrilling double OT game in Portland, the Lions roadtrip doesn't get an easier today as they travel to Spokane, Wash. to take on Gonzaga. The Bulldogs are 12-5 on the season and 2-0 in conference play.

After losing WCC Player of the Year Matt Bouldin to graduation last spring, the Zags don't seem to have missed a step. Led by senior guard Steven Gray and junior center Robert Sacre, Gonzaga is riding an eight-game win streak, which includes a win over No. 9 Baylor. Gray is averaging 14.8 points per game on the season with Sacre not far behind with 13.5.

The Lions played very tough perimeter defense against Portland on Thursday, and that will have to continue tonight against Gonzaga, but most of all the Lions bigs will need to contain Sacre, who put up 24 points against Pepperdine two days ago. LMU got beat inside in double OT by Portland's Sikma, so hopefully Edgar Garibay, Godwin Okonji and Ashley Hamilton don't let that happen again.

The Lions went 1-2 against Gonzaga last season, with their last matchup coming in Las Vegas, Nev. at the WCC Tournament. The Bulldogs won the semifinal matchup before losing to Saint Mary's in the finals. LMU's biggest victory of recent years came last season when they beat then-No. 9 Gonzaga in Gersten Pavilion.

Hopefully the Lions can receive solid games from both Drew Viney and Vernon Teel, who have yet to put together impressive games on the same night in conference play. LMU is looking for the upset to tie its conference record at two.

The game tips off early at 5 p.m.