Jan. 27, 2011

Box Score

Video highlights from Lions' All-Access.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - LMU knocked down a season-high 12 three-pointers and four players scored in double figures in an 83-57 victory at San Francisco in a West Coast Conference game Thursday night at War Memorial Gymnasium. Senior Renahy Young led the Lions (10-10, 4-2 WCC) with 21 points and junior Candice Nichols added 17 for the team's fourth straight win over the Dons (3-17, 0-6 WCC).

After leading a total of just 24 seconds in its previous two games, LMU never trailed in this one, jumping out to a 7-0 lead and never letting it get below double digits in the final 28:35. The Lions, who came into the contest averaging 6.5 made threes a game in WCC play, hit five in the first half alone and connected on 40% of their long balls (12-for-30) to register the second-most threes in a single game in LMU history.

Young topped 20 points for the sixth time in her last eight games with a game-high 21 points, including 12 of LMU's first 14 coming out of the half, to go over 1,400 points for her career. Young had three of the 12 triples, moving her within two of second place and within four of first on LMU's career record list.

Nichols scored 12 of her 17 after the half for her 18th double-digit scoring game of the season and freshman Camille Buckley had all 10 of her points after the break for her fourth consecutive double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Freshman Hazel Ramirez chipped in 11 points and four assists and senior Melanie Ysaguirre had eight points, all in the first half, and 10 boards. Sophomore Courtney Collishaw also had eight points.

The Lions shot 53% in the second half to finish at 46.4% (32-for-69) overall in registering their second-highest scoring output of the season. LMU also dominated on the boards with a 47-34 advantage that included 17 offensive rebounds.

The biggest discrepancy in the game came behind the arc. As LMU was raining threes, the Dons misfired on all 17 of their attempts and shot 34.4% (21-for-61) overall. Kelly Jo Mullaney led USF with 16 points and Donnisha Taylor added 12 off the bench.

LMU jumped out to an early 7-0 advantage and never looked back as the defense forced USF to misfire on its first five shots. By sitting back in a zone, USF was daring the Lions to launch threes and LMU obliged as three straight triples, two by Ramirez, kicked off a 13-4 run that turned a 9-5 lead into 22-9 with eight minutes to play in the first.

After trailing at the half in each of their last two games, the Lions rode the play of their seniors throughout the first half for a 36-21 lead at the break. Young had nine of her points at the half and Ysaguirre added eight points and seven rebounds as six different Lions got on the scoresheet.

Young came out of the locker room on fire, reaching 20 points for the fourth time in conference play by hitting five of her first six shots to score 12 of LMU's first 14 and push the lead above 20, 50-29, with 14:51 left. When Young went out for a rest, Nichols and Buckley picked up the slack, combining for 20 of LMU's next 22 points to keep USF at bay.

LMU concludes the first half of WCC play on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Santa Clara.