Dec. 2, 2004

Box Score

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - The LMU women's basketball team used a strong second half to propel past the Cal State Northridge Matadors, 62-50, this evening at Gersten Pavilion. The Lions were down at halftime, 29-27, but outscored CSUN 35-21 in the second half for their second straight win. The Lions recorded 20 steals in the win, the fourth best in school history. LMU improves to 4-2 on the season, while CSUN loses its first game of the season to fall to 1-1.

Although the Lions jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead,the Matadors came back and led by as many as 11 points in the first half. A three-pointer by LaJoyce King with 6:34 remaining in the first half put CSUN up 25-14. The Lions chipped away at the lead, and trailed by just two points by halftime. King lead CSUN with nine points in the first half, while Jacquelyn Woods led LMU with six points. Freshman Amanda DeCoud recorded four steals in the first half to go along with four points.

Woods opened the second half with a layup to tie the game, jumpstarting the Lions on a 10-1 run to open the second half. The Matadors fought back to within two on a jumpshot by Heather Cushing, but Mary Turner's three-pointer extended the LMU lead back to five, 42-37. With LMU ahead 43-39, Bianca Ziemann made two straight steals on consecutive Matador possessions to help the Lions extend their lead to eight, 47-39.

The Matadors would get no closer than four points the rest of the way. Strong free throw shooting by the Lions helped hold off the Matadors in the closing minutes. LMU hit all six of its free throws in the final minutes for the victory.

LMU's 20 steals is the fourth best team performance in school history. DeCoud finished with six steals, while Woods added five. Valerie Ogoke had three steals, and Bianca Ziemann and Mary Turner each had a pair.

Woods led LMU with 16 points and eight rebounds, and Rachael Ziemann chipped in 10 points, including going 4-for-4 from the free throw line in the final minute of the game. Turner added nine points, while Jevay Grooms had eight points, eight rebounds and two blocks.

King led CSUN with 18 points, while Krisztina Fuleki and Cushing each had eight points. Ofa Tulikihihifo led the Matadors with 10 rebounds.

The Lions look to finish the week with another win as they travel to the Sports Arena to take on USC on Sunday at 2pm. It is the first meeting between the Lions and the Women of Troy.

-GO LIONS-