Nov. 21, 2011

Box Score

FULLERTON, Calif. - An inspired second-half effort could not help the LMU women's basketball team overcome a 17-point first-half deficit in a 79-52 loss to Cal State Fullerton at Titan Gym Monday night.

Things were close early as Alex Cowling sunk a layup for LMU (0-4) at 16:10, making it 6-5 in favor of the Titans (3-0). However, three consecutive three pointers by Cal State Fullerton's Chante Miles, Tailer Butler and Alicya Crisp opened up the lead, 15-5, before a pair of Emily Ben-Jumbo layups made it 15-9 at the 13:13 mark.

Despite an up-tempo pace and working their way to the free throw line 18 times in the first half, the Lions struggled from the field, hitting just 6-of-29 from the field. The Titans, meanwhile, were on fire, shooting nearly 52 percent, including 5-of-12 from three.

Down 67-44 with 9:23 remaining, the Lions went on an 8-0 run behind two free throws from Monica DeAngelis, a Danielle Pruitt layup and back-to-back jumpers from Taylor Anderson and Ashley Lovett to pull within 15, 67-52.

That would be as close as LMU would come in the second half as a Lauren Chow three halted the Lions' run.

The Titans' Megan Anderson led all scorers with 19 points while Miles and Lauren Bushong added nine points each.

An off night for Cowling left the redshirt junior finishing with 11 points, breaking a three-game 20-plus point streak. Sophomore Hazel Ramirez reached double figures for the first time this season, totaling 10 points, while Lovett, a freshman, scored a career-high 10 points, all in the second half.

LMU returns to action Friday, Nov. 25 and Saturday, Nov. 26, hosting the DoubleTree Los Angeles Westside Thanksgiving Classic at Gersten Pavilion. The tournament, in its 15th year, features the Lions, Northern Iowa, Wyoming and Youngstown State.

LMU opens play Friday at 1 p.m. against Youngstown State, followed by Northern Iowa vs. Wyoming at 3 p.m. The tournament's consolation game will tip off Saturday at 1 p.m. followed by the championship game at 3 p.m.