Preview: Loyola Marymount Lions at Washington State Cougars

NEBRASKA CITY, Neb. (Interstat) — A surging Loyola Marymount squad aims to continue its winning ways against a struggling Washington State team when the Lions visit the Cougars in a nonconference men’s basketball matchup Friday at Beasley Coliseum.

The Lions (10-5) enter on a two-game win streak, most recently defeating Pacific 80-71 on Tuesday behind 20 points from Myron Amey, 18 from Jan Vide and 17 from standout forward Jalen Shelley. Loyola Marymount has won four of its last five, with the only loss in that stretch a narrow 78-73 defeat to Saint Mary’s.

Shelley has been a consistent force, averaging 15.0 points over his last five games. He posted 23 points in a blowout win over North Alabama on Dec. 19 and is coming off a 17-point, two-block performance against Pacific.

Washington State (6-9) looks to halt a two-game skid after a 69-55 road loss at Seattle on Tuesday, where ND Okafor led the Cougars with 11 points and three blocks. The Cougars have lost six of their last eight games, with their only victories in December coming against Portland, Mercer and Eastern Washington.

Okafor has provided a defensive presence for Washington State, recording multiple blocks in four of his last six contests. His season high of five blocks came in a loss to Nevada on Dec. 7.

The game, organized by the West Coast, marks the first meeting between the programs in recent seasons. It serves as a final nonconference tune-up for both before each dives into a heavy schedule of league play next week. Loyola Marymount opens West Coast Conference action at Gonzaga on Sunday, while Washington State hosts Oregon State on Sunday to begin its conference slate.

Friday’s contest tips off at 7 p.m. local time.