Batemon career-high 26 helps Loyola Marymount rally, 91-87

Nov 23, 2017, 04:06 am

SAN ANTONIO -- James Batemon scored 14 of his a career-high 26 points in the final six minutes as Loyola Marymount battled from as many as 12 points down to fend off Incarnate Word 91-87 Wednesday night.

The Cardinals held a 46-34 lead just before halftime, but Loyola Marymount sliced seven points off that in the last minute of the opening half, including a Donald Gipson jumper as time ran out. Incarnate Word didn't let the Lions closer than three points, and built the lead back to nine, 65-56, on a Jalin Hart 3-pointer with 11:56 to play.

But the momentum began to swing on a Bateman layup at the other end, and the 6-foot-1 junior scored 10 straight points to bring the Lions from seven down to leading 77-74 in less than two minutes.

Incarnate Word made it a two-point game three times down the stretch only to have Batemon score four straight from the line, where he was 12 of 12. Steven Haney added two.

Christian Peevy led the Cardinals with 20 points.