Jan. 30, 2016 Final Stats | Photo Gallery 
2015-16 Schedule | Give to LMU Athletics | Season Tickets | LMU on Facebook |
LOS ANGELES - A big third quarter surge by San Diego opened up a close contest between the LMU women's basketball team and the West Coast Conference leading Toreros Saturday afternoon in Gersten Pavilion. The 10-minute period proved all the difference on the day as the Lions could not battle back in a 75-67 setback.
The Toreros (20-2, 10-1 WCC) won the third quarter 28-14, hitting 10-of-14 from the field in the frame. That run erased a 29-24 LMU (7-15, 3-8 WCC) halftime lead. The Lions shot 48 percent from the field in the first half while holding USD to just 26 percent from the field.
But coming out of the halftime break, the Lions went 0-for-5 with one turnover to open the third period. Deanna Johnson would break a 7-0 USD run with a layup at the 7:30 mark, but the Toreros would eventually open up a nine-point advantage by the quarter's end.
Andee Velasco finished with a career-high 17 points to lead four Lions in double figures. Johnson and Sophie Taylor had 14 points each while Cheyanne Wallace added 12. Taylor also had a game-high 13 boards for her sixth double-double of the year.
Malina Hood finished with a game-high 19 points to lead five Toreros in double figures. Maya Hood added 17 points and 13 boards and Cori Woodward chipped in 13 points and eight assists.
LMU overcame seven first-quarter turnovers by shooting 8-for-12 from the field on its way to a 17-12 advantage. The Lions maintained the five-point lead through the second frame to lead at the half for the seventh time this season. But for just the second time in those seven games, the would face a setback in the final score.
Malina Hood led the the USD charge in the third quarter, scoring 10 of her 17 points in the frame after shooting 1-for-12 in the first half.
Trailing 62-51 with 3:25 to play in the fourth quarter, LMU got a free throw from Wallace and an old-fashion three-point play from Alford, making it a seven point, 62-55, USD advantage with 2:19 to go. But the Toreros went 11-of-14 from the charity stripe as LMU attempted to claw back.
LMU heads back out on the road next week, heading to the Pacific Northwest for games at Gonzaga and Portland. The WCC road swing begins Thursday, Feb. 4 in Spokane, Wash. Tip off against the Zags is scheduled for 6 p.m.
 | =""> Support LMU's 22 intercollegiate teams and it's student-athletes through scholarships and team support.
Together WE ARE LMU Lions... join the pride today:
Join the Lions Athletic Fund | This is LMU
|
