LOS ANGELES (AP) — Rui Hachimura scored 22 points, Brandon Clarke added 17 and No. 3 Gonzaga beat Loyola Marymount 73-60 on Thursday night to extend its winning streak to 15 games.
It was only the second West Coast Conference game that the Bulldogs (24-2, 11-0) have not led by at least 20 at some point.
The game was close until late in the second half. Loyola Marymount took a 54-53 lead with 8:45 remaining on Joe Quintana's 3-pointer, but the Bulldogs went on a 16-4 run from that point to take control.
Zach Norvell Jr. added 13 points, including a pair of 3-pointers during the decisive run, and Gonzaga was 21 of 22 on free throws for the game. Clarke had 12 rebounds for his eighth double-double of the season.
Dameane Douglas led Loyola Marymount (17-9, 5-7) with 13 points and James Batemon added 12.
The Bulldogs led 32-31 at halftime and opened the second half with 3-pointers by Josh Perkins and Corey Kispert. The Lions fought back though and kept it close until the final six minutes.
BIG PICTURE
Gonzaga: The Zags came into the game as the nation's top shooting team (52.8 percent) but were just 9 of 28 in the first half. They improved greatly in the second half, going 14 of 22.
Loyola Marymount: The Lions have dropped 21 straight to Gonzaga, and 25 of their last 26 Their last win in the series came on Feb. 18, 2010.
TIP-INS
Loyola Marymount had a 15-6 edge in offensive rebounds and controlled the inside with a 38-30 edge in points in the paint. The Lions also had an 18-2 advantage in second-chance points.
UP NEXT
Gonzaga: Travels to San Diego on Saturday night. The Bulldogs won the first matchup 85-69 on Feb. 2.
Loyola Marymount: Hosts BYU on Saturday. The Cougars won the first meeting 67-49 on Feb. 2.
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