Spokane, Washington — Cam Shelton With 13 seconds remaining, Loyola Marymount won 68-67 on Thursday night to extend Gonzaga’s 76-game winning streak.
The Bulldogs’ home streak (16-4, 5-1) was the eighth longest in Division I history. This included a November 20 victory over Kentucky in a Neutral Site game at Spokane Arena, which the NCAA considered Gonzaga’s home game.
Shelton scored 27 points (14-7, 4-3) to lead the Lions, who hadn’t won in Spokane since 1991, and lost 25 in straight sets to the Zags.
Loyola Marymount coach Stan Johnson said, “For us, this is another sign that our program is on the right track, and that’s the biggest thing.” There aren’t many people who come here and win, so I think it’s going to validate and validate all that we’ve been trying to achieve with the guys in the locker room.”
Gonzaga has an 83-game winning streak against unranked opponents, 46 of them at home.
“The Homestreak is over,” Zags director Mark Few said. Added….I don’t think anyone touches it. [streak] for quite some time. ”
The Bulldogs’ 36-game winning streak in January is also over. They had won 11 straight overall since losing to Baylor on December 2nd.
Jarin Anderson add 15 points, Kelly Leopepe The Lions were eleven. Loyola Marymount led by as many as nine in the second half, slowing Gonzaga’s second-half run.
LMU led 66-59 with 2:55 left on Shelton’s 3-pointer, but Zags scored the next eight points to take the lead 67-66. Drew TimFree throw with 41 seconds remaining. With the shot clock running out, Shelton converted a runner from just outside the lane to give the Lions the lead, and Tim’s final try for the winner was partially blocked by Lopepe.
Shelton’s witty play was crucial for the Lions in the final minutes.
“Kams has had a really great year so far and I think he was putting pressure on them to get into the paint,” Johnson said. I thought he played well and I thought he had great composure, which is what you want in a veteran point guard.”
Tim led Zag with 17 points. Nolan Hickman The Zags had 12 points and six assists in Saturday’s 115-75 win over Portland.
Gonzaga struggled from the field, shooting 44.4% overall, 4-of-14 (28.6%) from three-point range and 15-of-23 (65.2%) from the free-throw line.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
