Box Score
Watch Highlights and Post-Game Interviews Here
LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- Seedings aside,
Rex Walters stated earlier in the week if USF didn't play well against Loyola Marymount the Dons would be leaving Las Vegas earlier than expected.
The ninth-seeded Lions withstood 23 points and 18 rebounds from
Cole Dickerson and handed USF a disappointing 61-60 overtime loss in the second round of the West Coast Conference Tournament Thursday night at the Orleans Arena.
Mark Tollefsen added 12 points, but only two in the second half while no other USF player managed to reach double-figures as the Dons drop to 14-16 on the year.
USF was fortunate to send the game into overtime. With LMU leading 56-51 with 38 second left, Dickerson's three-pointer brought the Dons to within two at 56-54. After
Cody Doolin's defensive pressure on LMU point guard Anthony Ireland forced the turnover USF was hoping for, Dickerson cleaned up Tim Derksen's missed layup to tie the game with nine seconds remaining.
Ireland misfired on a potential game winner with one second left, sending the game into overtime tied at 56.
Points were scarce in overtime. Ireland scored the first f.our points of the extra period before the Dons could muster their first point on a Doolin free throw with 11 seconds remaining that cut the Lions lead to 60-57.
After Taylor Walker made 1-of-2 free throws with nine seconds remaining, Dickerson nailed a a little-to-late three-pointer with one second left to account for 61-60 final.
USF led just three times in this game, lastly at 20-19 with 5:31 remaining in the first half.
The Dons managed to shoot just 38.9 percent from the floor and were a chilly 8-for-19 from the line. The Lions had 12 offensive rebounds which led to 16 second chance points.
"I thought Loyola Marymount wanted it a little more than we did," said head USF head coach
Rex Walters. "You have to go through the battles. They made more plays down the stretch.
"Cole was fantastic - 23 points and 18 rebounds - it was fun to watch. He's an all-league player and if he has a great spring and summer, he can be the player of the year in this conference next year.
"I'm proud of this team. I wish I could have done more to help them. They refused to give up. Cole hit a big three with 1.8 left just to give us a chance."
USF will close out the season Thursday night when the Dons play host to Northern Kentucky in Memorial Gymnasium. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m.
