Los Angeles, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Evan Payne scored a game-high 23 points off the bench as the Loyola Marymount Lions defeated the Redhawks of Southeast Missouri State, 76-66, as part of the LMU Classic at Gersten Pavilion.

Ayodeji Egbeyemi and Matt Hayes both added 13 points to the LMU (1-0) attack, followed by Marin Mornar with 10 points in the triumph.

The Redhawks (0-1) were paced by Nino Johnson with 22 points on 9-of-12 shooting from the floor, while Antonius Cleveland and Isiah Jones chipped in with 16 and 11 points, respectively.

SEMO led by as many as four points in the first half, but the squad shot only 2-of-10 behind the 3-point line and 4-of-7 at the charity stripe in the frame, resulting in a 40-34 deficit at the break.

After converting 53.8 percent from the field through the first 20 minutes, the Lions knocked down 51.9 percent in the second half in order to secure the double-digit win.

In a game that featured 12 ties and eight lead changes, LMU survived 14 turnovers, compared to just three miscues for the visitors.

Both of these teams will be back in action on Saturday in this event as host LMU challenges the Boise State Broncos and the Redhawks lock up with the University of San Diego.