Dec. 21, 2009

Angie Kiel's postgame interview with Coach Wilhoit from Podcast Center.
Audio highlights from Podcast Center.

Box Score

Los Angeles - Sophomore Alex Cowling had 21 points but there would be no early Christmas gift for LMU as San Diego State notched a 75-54 victory in a non-conference game Monday night at Gersten Pavilion in Los Angeles. The Lions (6-6) drop their second straight against the Aztecs (6-4).

Cowling had team-highs of 21 points and five rebounds for her second 20-plus point performance of the season. Junior Melanie Ysaguirre added 10 points, one off her career-high and four rebounds. Leading scorer junior Renahy Young, who earlier in the day was named the West Coast Conference Player of the Week, was limited to just five points, snapping her streak of 13 consecutive games in double figures. Young did have six assists to make up for it, though.

Rebounding proved a huge difference, as San Diego State held a 37-24 advantage. LMU shot 39.7% (23-for-58) on the night but just 21.4% (3-for-14) from three-point range. The Lions, who had been averaging over 19 foul shot attempts per game, went to the line just eight times, making five for 62.5%.

Quenese Davis set a career high with 26 points, including 17 in the first half. She added eight rebounds, five assists, and four steals. Jene Morris contributed 16 points and seven assists, Jessika Bradley had 14 points and eight rebounds, and Paris Johnson added 10 points.

The Lions had a tough time in slowing down the Aztecs, who connected on 60% (33-for-55) of their shots. SDSU was 3-for-5 (60%) from three-point range and 66.7% (6-for-9) at the line despite committing 20 turnovers.

In the early going, it looked like the Lion defense would stifle the Aztecs. From the opening tip, LMU forced five turnovers in the first eight possessions. On the offensive end, Cowling was out to a hot start, scoring LMU's first six points to help the team jump out to an 8-2 lead.

Slowly, the Aztecs began to inch back and did so through Davis, who made six of her first eight shots to help SDSU rattle off a 26-7 run over a nine-minute span that turned a 15-6 deficit into a 32-22 lead with 3:14 left. Davis, who entered the game averaging 11 points a game, had 15 during the run, book-ending it with a pair of threes.

LMU, meanwhile, was in the midst of a mini-slump. After starting the game by hitting 7-of-13 over the first 10 minutes, the Lions went just 3-for-15 over the next 10. Cowling was doing her part with 12 by the half but LMU trailed 36-26 as Davis had 17 at the break.

The cold spell would continue for the Lions into the second half as the team connected on one of its first seven. SDSU, meanwhile, was continuing to get out and run, rolling off nine unanswered to open up an 18-point lead, 49-31, on a layup by Jene Morris. The lead would grow to as many as 23, 65-42, with 5:49 left.

LMU takes a week break, returning to action on December 28 at UCLA at 7 p.m. The Lions will then host Seattle University on Wednesday, December 30 at 5 p.m. as part of a doubleheader with the men's team.