Mika, Emery help BYU outlast LMU to reach WCC semis (Mar 04, 2017)

By AP
Published

LAS VEGAS (AP) Eric Mika scored 25 points, Nick Emery added 21, and BYU outlasted Loyola Marymount for an 89-81 win in the West Coast Conference Tournament quarterfinals on Saturday.

Emery made a trio of free throws to give BYU its largest lead, 65-51, with 12:52 left. The Cougars led 69-56 three minutes later, but LMU scored 11 straight points, capped by Steven Haney's layup with 6:36 remaining to get within two, 69-67.

BYU (22-10) stretched the lead back to eight, and LMU pulled within four with 1:25 left, but TJ Haws made 6 of 6 free throws for BYU in the final 32 seconds to put the game on ice.

The Cougars, which topped then-No. 1 ranked Gonzaga a week ago, shot 59 percent from the field (13-22) and made 18 of 21 free throws in the second half en route to a third straight win.

Brandon Brown led LMU (15-15) with 22 points, Petr Herman scored 15 on 7-of-8 shooting, and Buah Tuach added 14.

BYU plays the winner of Saint Mary's and Portland in a semifinal game on Monday.