Nov. 12, 2010

Box Score

POCATELLO, Idaho - Junior Alex Cowling had 18 points but LMU started slowly and never recovered, dropping its season opener 63-55 at Idaho State on Friday night at Reed Gymnasium in Pocatello, Idaho. The Lions (0-1) grabbed 20 offensive rebounds and forced 25 turnovers but couldn't capitalize as the Bengals (1-0) got 21 points from freshman Lindsey Reed.

Cowling moved closer to joining the 1,000-point club, shooting 7-for-14 from the floor for a team-high 18 points to give her 945 for her career. The Lions also got 14 points and five steals from junior Candice Nichols but could not overcome 23 turnovers nor capitalize on 20 offensive rebounds. LMU shot 29.2% (19-for-65) from the floor, 36.4% (4-for-11) from three-point range, and 50% (13-for-26) at the line. Redshirt freshman Camille Buckley picked up where she left off last season, grabbing a game-high 12 boards.

Reed led all scorers with 21 points in her collegiate debut, including four of ISU's eight three-pointers. She added eight rebounds and was joined in double figures by Chelsea Pickering with 19. ISU shot 38.9% (21-for-54) from the field, 40% (8-for-20) from long range, and 65% (13-for-20) from the line.

After putting up 101 points in its exhibition win over The Master's College last week, the Lions were as cold as the snow falling outside in their first official game, starting the contest 1-for-9 from the floor and finding themselves trailing 15-4 after seven minutes. Nichols looked to get things going for the Lions, knocking down a three and following with a layup to cut the deficit to 15-11, only for ISU to restore its double-digit lead moments later and carry a 32-24 advantage into the break.

ISU's long-range shooting, especially from Reed, kept the Lions at bay during the second half. Back-to-back threes from Reed pushed the Bengal advantage to 17, 42-25 with 16:16 remaining.

That's when Cowling began going to work, converting a three-point play and then making a steal and going the distance for a layup to ignite a 6-0 run and get LMU back within 11, 42-31.

The ISU lead would again grow to 18 but the Lions had another spurt in them. A three-pointer from sophomore Courtney Collishaw started a 9-0 run, with senior Melanie Ysaguirre following with a layup, Cowling knocking down a jumper, and Nichols getting LMU within nine, 52-43, with a layup with 3:10 to play. Nichols had a chance to get LMU closer but she missed a pair of free throws and Reed knocked down a pair to get the lead back to 11.

Consecutive threes by Cowling and freshman Hazel Ramirez gave the Lions hope with less than a minute left as they cut the deficit to six, 58-52. But Kaela Oakes made two free throws and the Lions misfired on three straight looks on the next possession and could get no closer.

LMU returns to Gersten Pavilion for the home opener against Long Beach State at 7 p.m. on Monday, November 15. Fans can follow live on www.LMULions.com and listen live on KXLU 88.9 FM.