Feb. 9, 2002

Box Score

John Cox scored points 19 points to lead five Dons in double figures as USF continued its winning ways in West Coast Conference play with an easy 80-67 win over Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles Saturday night. Hondre Brewer added a season high 16 points for USF Shamell Stallworth 17 and Darrell Tucker added 14. USF won its tenth game in the last 14 to improve to 12-11 on the season and 7-3 in WCC play while the Lions dropped their seventh straight to drop to 9-15, 2-8 in league play.

USF led 45-29 at the half and built their lead to 59-31, and held a 20-point lead until the final minutes

USF took control of the game midway through the first half behind an attack of three point shots. The Dons hit nine of 16 attempts before halftime, equaling the team's high of the season vs. Seton Hall in the first game of the season. USF trailed 12-8 before going on a 30-9 run and taking a 38-21 lead and leading 45-29 at the half. The Dons lost their senior starting point guard, LyRyan Russell at the 3:40 mark of the first half when he was fouled hard under the basket, injuring his left knee. He did not return.

"Our inside game took control tonight," said Dons' coach Phil Mathews. "Our team came together after LyRyan went down and played as unit.

The Dons, now halfway through their four game road trip, play at Santa Clara Thursday and at San Diego Saturday before returning home to face Gonzaga on Friday, February 22nd.