Los Angeles, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Evan Payne scored 25 points to help the Loyola Marymount Lions secure a 66-62 win over the UC Riverside Highlanders in non-conference action at Gersten Pavilion.

Matt Hayes added 16 points and Ayodeji Egbeyemi chipped in 11 for Loyola (3-2).

UC Riverside (2-3) was paced by 23 points and nine rebounds from Taylor Johns. Jaylen Bland tacked on 15 points and Nick Gruninger chimed in with 11.

The Highlanders clawed their way to a 31-30 halftime lead. They made 10-of-28 shots from the field and 8-of-9 at the free-throw line in the first half. The Lions got 10-of-22 field goal attempts and 7-of-8 at the foul line to fall.

Loyola managed to edge their way past UC Riverside in the second half, by shooting 40 percent from the floor, while limiting the visitors to a 37.5 percent effort.

The Lions were aided by an 18-11 scoring edge off of turnovers as well.