LAS VEGAS – Loyola Marymount continued its surprising run through the West Coast Conference tournament as Anthony Ireland hit the go-ahead basket with 5.2 seconds remaining Friday night in a 60-58 victory over Santa Clara.
The Lions (11-22) came into the nine-team tournament as the lowest seed after finishing conference play 1-15 and dropping their final 14 games. But they have already tripled that victory total by beating eighth-seeded Portland 65-54 in the opening round, fifth-seeded San Francisco 61-60 in overtime of the second round and fourth-seeded Santa Clara on Friday. Next up is top-seeded Gonzaga in the semifinals on Saturday.
Ireland, who had 23 points, scored on a layup to put Loyola Marymount ahead 59-58. After Brandon Clark missed the front end of a one-and-one free-throw opportunity for the Broncos, Ireland then hit 1 of 2 free throws with 2 seconds left, and Kevin Foster's half-court shot at the buzzer was off the mark.
Foster led Santa Clara (21-11) with 23 points.
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