Jan. 20, 2005

Box Score

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Santa Clara's Kayla Huss hit a three pointer with 0:00.5 remaining on the clock to down the LMU women's basketball team, 54-51, this evening at the Leavey Center. The Lions were down for almost the entire game, but Amanda Patton hit a three pointer to tie the game at 51 with 8.7 seconds remaining in the game. Huss drove the length of the court in the final seconds and threw up a shot in the final second. LMU drops to 9-9 on the season, 3-2 in conference play, while Santa Clara improves to 9-8, 3-1 in the WCC.

The Lions jumped out to a 4-0 lead on two baskets by Jacquelyn Woods, but the Broncos scored 11 straight points to make it an 11-4 game. Jenni Smith's jumper at 13:26 finally ended the Santa Clara run. After SCU went ahead 13-6, the Lions answered with a 7-0 run of their own to tie the game at 13-13. The run included two baskets by Woods and was highlighted by a three-pointer by Patton.

Santa Clara pulled ahead in the half, and outscored LMU 12-6 to close out the first half. The Lions shot just 30.8% from the field, but held the conference's highest scoring offense to just 32.3% shooting in the half. Woods led LMU with eight first half points, and Grooms added four. Tracey Walker had eight points to lead SCU in the first half. LMU outrebounded the Broncos, 22-20, but made 12 turnovers.

LMU started the second half slowly, going 1-for-10 during the first 4:28 of the second half. LMU got some defensive energy from the bench, as Nicole Thompson, Bronwyn Evans and Jennifer Henry came into the game and brought some intensity.

The Lions' offense finally got started with about 10 minutes remaining in the game. Jenni Smith scored her fifth point of the half, and Valerie Ogoke scored six straight points to cut the Bronco lead. Bianca Ziemann's two free throws made it a 46-44 game. The Broncos responded with a three-pointer by Martin. to make it a 49-44 game at 5:56. The teams traded misses until Woods' driving layup cut the Santa Clara lead to three points, 49-46, at 3:21.

Woods basket at 1:30 made it a one point game, 49-48. On the next SCU possession, Michelle Cozad missed a layup, and Woods grabbed the defensive rebound with one minute remaining in the game. She drew a foul by Anna Martin, but missed the front end the one and one. Smith grabbed the offensive rebound, but missed the putback. SCU grabbed the rebound, forcing LMU to foul.

Cozad hit both free throws to extend the SCU lead to three points, 51-48 with 19 seconds remaining in the half. On the next LMU possession, Patton got the ball from Bianca Ziemann, did a head fake that pulled off her defender, and stepped back to hit a three pointer with 8.7 seconds remaining to tie the game at 51-51.

With overtime looming, Huss drove the ball to right in front of the Bronco bench, and threw up the game-winner with virtually no time remaining on the clock. Mary Turner's attempt from halfcourt was after the buzzer.

Woods led all scorers with 12 points, and recorded her second double-double of the season with 11 rebounds. Patton scored eight points for LMUand Smith had seven. The Lions shot just 33.3% in the second half, and finished the game shooting 32.2%. The Lions managed just four assists and finished with 18 turnovers.

Thompson played a career-high eight minutes, and finished with two points off the bench.

The Broncos shot 41.7% in the second half, and were led by Martin's nine points. Kasey Monteith had eight rebounds for SCU.

The Lions return to action on Saturday night when they head to Saint Mary's for a 7:00pm matchup. The game will be broadcast live on the Lions' Audio Network at www. LMULions.com.

-GO LIONS-