LOS ANGELES (Interstat) — The Portland Pilots built a commanding first-half lead and withstood a second-half push to defeat the Loyola Marymount Lions 71-58 in a West Coast Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at Gersten Pavilion.

Portland led 39-21 at halftime after holding Loyola Marymount to 18-of-57 shooting for the game. The Lions improved after the break but never closed the gap to single digits. Joel Foxwell led Portland with 18 points and five assists. Mikah Ballew added 17 points. Jalen Shelley scored 19 points for Loyola Marymount.

The Pilots improved to 10-11 overall. The Lions fell to 11-10.