The Jacksonville State Gamecocks head to Albert Gersten Pavilion to take on the Loyola Marymount Lions. The game starts at 9:00 pm ET on Friday, Dec. 18.
The Lions beat Cal State Fullerton 82-70 the last time they played. Marin Mornar had a good game, contributing 20 points, seven rebounds, and three assists for the Lions. The Gamecocks are coming off a tough 63-60 loss at the hands of Alabama State in their last outing. Jeremy Watson scored 13 points and recorded 12 rebounds earning his first double-double of the season.
Based on each team’s statistical profile, the turnover story could loom large in this showdown. Jacksonville State commits the fifth-fewest errors in the nation (TO% of 14.2%), while the gambling defense of Loyola Marymount causes the 30th-most (opponents’ TO% of 22.9%).
Loyola Marymount is a heavy 11-point favorite at home and the Over/Under (O/U) for this matchup is set at 137 points. The Lions enter the game with records of 6-4 Straight Up (SU) and 6-3 Against The Spread (ATS). The Lions are an impressive shooting team from the line with a .762 free throw percentage, one of the highest marks in Division I.
On the other side, the Gamecocks fare well ATS, sitting at 4-2. However, they are only 3-9 SU.
This game marks the first time Loyola Marymount and Jacksonville State have played one another in recent seasons.
Predictions: SU Winner – LyMnt, ATS Winner – LyMnt, O/U – Over
Notes
Loyola Marymount is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games.
Loyola Marymount is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home.
On average, Loyola Marymount has 70.4 possessions per game and scores 1.055 points on each possession. Jacksonville State has both fewer possessions (67.6) and scores fewer points during those possessions (1.046).
The Loyola Marymount Lions average an effective field goal percentage of 48.1% this season. The Jacksonville State Gamecocks have a poor record of 2-4 when opponents have an eFG% of 48.1% or greater.
On average, Loyola Marymount attempts 23.0 three pointers and Jacksonville State attempts 22.0. In games where they have 20 or more three point attempts, the Loyola Marymount Lions have a solid 5-3 record while the Jacksonville State Gamecocks have a losing 3-5 record.
Loyola Marymount ranks 59th in the nation with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.32, while Jacksonville State ranks 54th with an A/TO of 1.35.
Jacksonville State makes an average of 5.5 steals per game. Loyola Marymount has a winning 4-2 record when it allows at least 5 steals.
