Dec. 4, 2015 Final Stats
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SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Behind a season-best performance from senior Deanna Johnson, the LMU women's basketball team earned its first road win of the season, a 70-63 final over UC Santa Barbara Friday night at the Thunderdome.
Johnson, who has been progressively working her way back to form after missing most of last season with a knee injury, poured in a season-high 17 points, including 12 in the second half, as the Lions improved to 3-5 on the year.
Freshman Cheyenne Wallace had 14 points and eight boards and Leslie Lopez-Wood added 12 points to round out Lions in double-figures.
"We had really strong leadership from our seniors in multiple ways tonight," said Head Coach Charity Elliott. "Deanna had a breakout game and Sophie's communication really brought the team together. She made sure we knew what we were doing, especially down the stretch."
As has become habit for the Lions, the third quarter was key. However, as has not been habit, the Lions also came out of the gates with energy. Despite shooting just 28 percent in the first half, the Lions were relentless with 12 offensive boards and an 11-for-14 performance from the free throw line to trail just 35-32 at the half.
Then came the third quarter. LMU outscored the Gauchos 21-10 in the 10-minute period, gaining command, 53-45. A 7-0 run early in the quarter turned a four-point deficit into a three-point lead, 41-38 with 4:42 to go. The Gauchos briefly stole the lead back with back-to-back threes, but Johnson answered with a layup and, after a Gaucho free throw, the home team went scoreless the remainder of the period.
The Lions, meanwhile, scored 10 straight points, including an old fashion three-point play by Marcella Hughes and five points from Lopez-Wood, to close out the period.
The fourth quarter was a battle as UCSB attempted to claim the lead back, but the Lions would never let them closer than two points, closing things out down the stretch.
"We had nice contributions from everyone tonight," added Elliott. "Everyone who came in contributed something. The way that we came together and played together and for each other was a huge step in the right direction."
Jasmine Ware and Makala Roper had 18 points apiece for UC Santa Barbara, which fell to 1-8 overall.
The Lions conclude their current three-game road swing on Saturday, traveling to face SEC member Missouri. Tip off from Columbia is set for 7 p.m. Central Time and will broadcast live on the SEC Network + and WatchESPN.
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