Dec. 5, 2009

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

Box Score

LOS ANGELES - LMU held a halftime lead but could not slow down the hot-shooting of Fresno State, dropping an 82-68 contest in a non-conference game Saturday afternoon at Gersten Pavilion. The Lions (4-4) were led by junior Renahy Young's 20 points but fell for the second straight time to the Bulldogs (5-3).

Young notched her first 20-point outing of the season with 15 points in the second half to try to keep the Lions in the game. Young, who has scored in double figures in every game this season, topped the 20-point barrier for the ninth time in her career and leaving her six points shy of 900 for her career. She was joined in double figures by sophomore Alex Cowling, who had 14 points and eight rebounds. Junior Melanie Ysaguirre was a perfect 4-for-4 from the floor for eight points and eight rebounds, adding three assists and three steals. Senior Jenna Sybesma and sophomore Candice Nichols also had eight points apiece.

The Loins shot 41.9% (26-for-62) overall and 27.8% (5-for-18) from three-point range, including two from senior Lisa Helmers, who moved into second place on the school's all-time three-pointers made list with 127. LMU sank 73.3% (11-for-15) at the free throw line and committed just 14 turnovers.

Emma Andrews led all scorers with 23 points on 7-for-8 from the floor, 2-for-2 from long-range and 7-for-8 from the line. Jaleesa Ross added a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds, with Joh-Teena Filipe chipping in 12 points.

Fresno State shot 63% (17-for-27) in the second half, en route to 52.8% (28-for-53) overall. Three-pointers keyed the Bulldogs, who hit 6-of-12 in the final 20 minutes and 8-of-19 (42.1%) for the game. Fresno State held a 38-29 rebounding edge and its bench outscored LMU's 26-12.

Offense was hard to come by in the early going for the Lions, who fell behind 7-0 after missing their first nine shots. Ysaguirre's rebound and put-back 4:23 into the game was LMU's first basket. The good news for the Lions was that their defense wasn't cold, forcing Fresno State into five turnovers early to allow LMU to climb back into the contest with an 8-0 run.

For the rest of the half, it was a close game as each side settled into their penetrating offense. The rest of the first half featured two ties and nine lead changes. Helmers' second three of the half, the one that gave her sole possession of second place on the LMU all-time list, sent the Lions into the half with a 31-29 lead.

The game remained tight for the first five minutes of the second half before Fresno State used an 11-2 run over the next three minutes to turn a 41-40 lead into a 52-42 advantage. Andrews was the catalyst, hitting a three that put the Bulldogs ahead 39-38 and they would not trail again. The Lions had no answer for Andrews, who scored 19 in the second half on an array of drives and her two three-pointers.

Fresno State increased the lead to 21, 70-49, on a three by Rosie Moult with 6:42 to play. Young did her best to bring the Lions back, connecting on a three, a jumper, and two free throws to score seven of LMU's next 13 points and close the gap to 74-62 with two minutes to go. But the deficit was too large to overcome and layups by Filipe and LaShay Fears kept the Lions at bay and Fresno State knocked down its free throws to stave off the rally.

LMU heads on the road for a pair of games next week. On Wednesday, the Lions visit Cal State Fullerton at 7 p.m., then it's off to New Mexico for a 2 p.m. tip on Saturday.