Ireland, Loyola Marymount topple Valparaiso 61-53

LOS ANGELES (AP) Anthony Ireland had game highs of 19 points and eight rebounds and Loyola Marymount used a 10-0 second-half run to defeat Valparaiso 61-53 on Friday night.

Ashley Hamilton added 12 points for the Lions (18-10), who won the BracketBusters matchup for their second victory in a row and sixth in their last seven.

Richie Edwards paced the Crusaders (19-10) with 17 points. Ryan Broekhoff added 16, including four 3-pointers.

Valparaiso fell behind 8-0 and never led, but the Crusaders closed within 42-41 with 12:27 left on a 3-pointer by Edwards.

The Lions responded with a 10-0 surge on baskets by Ireland and Godwin Okonji, a three-point play by Hamilton and a 3-pointer by Ireland to forge a 52-41 lead with 6:28 left. The lead never sank below seven after that.

Loyola Marymount, of the West Coast Conference, dominated its Horizon League opponent on the boards 37-23.

Updated February 17, 2012