Los Angeles, Ca – The LMU Lions have a powerful one two punch behind Steven Hanley and Adom Jacko in their impressive 77-60 victory over the Jacksonville State Gamecocks. The pair both scored 21 points each in their own fashion from in the paint or from the perimeter.
The Lions shot 45% from the field for the game and just kept the right pressure on the Gamecocks to keep a safe lead. The Gamecocks kept fighting till the end by starting to pick up their defense full court once the game was under 4 minutes of play. The Lions would not let them scratch into their double digit lead. The Lions game plan to contest every shot and limit Malcolm Drumwright from having good looks at the basket worked limiting him to 16 points that still lead his team.
The Jacksonville State Gamecocks traveled over 2,000 miles to try and get their first road win in early part of their non conference schedule. Head coach James Green now in his 8th season as leader of the Gamecocks. The School football team competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and are members of the Ohio Valley Conference as well and is currently the #1 seed facing Sam Houston State in semi-final match-up this Saturday Dec 19th.
Adom Jacko looked to ignite the home fans with a dunk that shook the rim and gave the Loins the lead back 4-3 with 16:11 on clock in first half. Jacko was able to take advantage down in the paint most of night against Gamecocks 3 guards 2 forwards set. The only thing that slowed Jacko down after having 6 points and 4 rebounds was a second touch foul that sent him to the bench with 12 minutes left in the first half.
The Lions as a whole finally began to break loose in first half with a 13 point lead with 5:46 left in half after a huge three pointer by Steven Haney Jr. The offense began to make key shots late in the shot clock behind smart guard play and facilitating the ball movement.
To end the half both teams exchanged three point baskets starting with Steven Haney with :43, then Gamecocks answered right back with DelFincko Bogan three pointer at :34. LMU took a 35-22 lead in at halftime with a lot of confidence after shooting 43% from the field and 40% from downtown.
Jacko and Haney were subbed out for the final time with just under two minutes of play left and the game securely in hand. The Lion moved on with the victory and their record to 7-4 on the season.
Next up the LMU Lions will travel to play Portland on Monday Dec 21st. Jacksonville State will return home to host Northern Colorado on Monday Dec 21st in Alabama.
