Feb. 7, 2015 Final Stats
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PROVO, Utah - Trailing by as many as 25 in the second half, the LMU women's basketball team battled back against a tough BYU squad on its home court, but could get no closer than 13 in a 74-59 setback at the Marriott Center Saturday afternoon.
While lack of effort and youth reigned in a disappointing effort at San Diego on Thursday, the Lions (3-21, 1-12 WCC) found their way against the Cougars. Senior Emily Ben-Jumbo and sophomore Leslie Lopez-Wood led LMU with 16 points apiece while Sophie Taylor chipped in 10.
Second-chance points and the long ball helped BYU (19-5, 11-2 WCC) build a 15-point halftime lead. The Cougars would pull downline offensive boards in the first half, accounting for 12 points. They also hit six triples, including three by Lexi Eaton on their way to a 41-26 halftime advantage.
Eaton would finish with a game-high 24 points before fouling out with six minutes remaining in the game. Morgan Bailey tallied a double-double of 20 points and 12 boards for the Cougars who shot 49 percent from the field for the game.
LMU went toe-to-toe with the Cougars in the second frame as the teams each put up 33 points. BYU opened the second half on a 12-2 run to open up a 53-28 advantage. But the Lions were not finished.
Trailing 65-44 with 9:44 to play, Lopez-Wood hit a jumper and Taylor scored four straight points, trimming the spread to 15, 65-50. A three by Kylie Maeda briefly halted the Lion run, but Lopez-Wood responded with back-to-back buckets. Taylor would then hit one of two foul shots to bring the Lions within 13, 68-55 with 3:14 to play.
Bailey would respond with back-to-back buckets of her own and the Lions would get no closer in the final minutes of play.
LMU finished with a season low seven turnovers, while seven steals helped force BYU into 14 giveaways. After shooting 41 percent in the opening frame, the Lions hit at just a 32-percent clip in the second half.
The Lions return to Gersten Pavilion next week, opening a two-game WCC home stand on Thursday against Gonzaga. LMU hosts its annual Play4Kay pink game on Saturday against Portland. Click here to help the Lions in the fight against breast cancer by donating to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund today!
