LOS ANGELES (Interstat) — Rodney Brown scored 23 points to lead Loyola Marymount to an 83-56 victory over Morgan State in nonconference men’s basketball Tuesday night at Gersten Pavilion.

The Lions (9-4) never trailed, opening with a 10-2 run and leading 40-21 at halftime. The Bears (2-11) could not close the gap in the second half.

Brown, a junior from Perris, California, led all scorers. Jalen Shelley added 14 points for Loyola Marymount. Rob Lawson paced Morgan State with 14 points and six assists.

The announced attendance was 927. Loyola Marymount covered the spread as a 21.5-point favorite. The Lions next host Saint Mary’s on Sunday. Morgan State hosts Penn St. Brandywine on Dec. 30.