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ASSOCIATED PRESS
Loyola Marymount forward Patson Siame, right, looks for an open teammate to pass to while bend defended by DePaul center Tommy Hamilton IV (2) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Diamond Head Classic on Thursday, Dec. 25, 2014, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)
Evan Payne scored 24 points to lead Loyola Marymount past DePaul 72-69 on Thursday in the seventh-place game of the Diamond Head Classic.
Payne cut to the basket for an open layup with 2:54 left for a 63-59 lead and hit a 3-pointer on LMU’s next possession for a seven-point advantage.
Loyola Marymount (4-8) broke a six-game losing streak and DePaul (6-7) had its skid reach six.
Ayodeji Egbeyemi scored 20 points, including 4 of 4 free throws in the final minute, for Loyola Marymount. Godwin Okonji added 13.
Billy Garrett Jr. led a balanced DePaul attack with 16 points. Jamee Crockett had 15, Durrell McDonald and Tommy Hamilton IV 12 apiece, and Myke Henry 10.
Garrett hit a 3-pointer with 11:41 left for a 47-44 lead, but the Blue Demons didn’t hit another field goal until Myke Henry’s basket with 5:57 left that cut it to 59-52.
