LOS ANGELES, Calif.,-- The Loyola Marymount women's basketball team upset No. 25 BYU at home on Thursday night, snapping the Cougar's (17-4, 8-1) undefeated conference record, as well as their 11 game winning streak with a 61-58 win. 
 
"We have been talking a lot about putting some things together and all being on the same page," said head coach Charity Elliott. "I thought tonight, defensively, they were really locked in on what we were trying to do. We knew BYU was going to make a run, they are a great team. It was our defense all night long. It was our defense at the end of the game that got two critical stops to finish the game for us." 
 
The Lions (12-10, 5-5) came out dominating starting at tip-off, as Jasmine Jones put the first points on the board, giving the Lions a lead that they would hold onto for most of the game. Cierra Belvin's basket gave the Lions their first double-digit lead early on. 
 
LMU was outscoring as well as outrebounding the Cougars all first quarter, as the team ended the quarter up 16-11, and up 12-10 on rebounds. 
 
The Cougars outscored the Lions second quarter, 12-10, but it wasn't enough to take the lead. The Lions, left the half with a 26-23 lead, with 12 points coming from Jones and seven rebounds coming from Bree Alford. 
 
Up three points going into the third quarter, BYU took its first lead of the game, but the Lions immediately took it back after Belvin hit her first three of the game. There were several more lead changes third quarter, but the momentum shifted back to the Lions after Andee Velasco got a steal. The Lions ended the quarter up 42-38. 
 
The Lions marked their largest lead of the game in the fourth quarter after Chelsey Gipson made a layup, giving the Lions an 11-point lead. The Cougars tested the Lions the rest of the quarter, as BYU took another lead. Belvin responded with her third three, quickly making it a one-point game. 
 
Continuing to battle it out, Josie Buckingham deflected the ball, which was recovered by Andee Velasco. Velasco got the ball to Jones, who tied things up after making a basket while getting fouled on the way up. Jones went to the line, where she then gave the Lions a two-point lead. 
 
After another great defensive play from Buckingham, Velasco went to the line, securing the win for the Lions. 
 
Jones, Alford and Belvin led the team in points, with 21, 14 and 11, respectively. Alford also tallied 13 rebounds, which makes six double-doubles on the season for the senior. Velasco led in assists with six. Velasco's six assists makes her LMU's All-Time Assists Leader, with a career total of 481, passing Hazel Ramirez's 476. 
 
"I am really proud of our players, Bree Alford was amazing tonight, so was Jasmine Jones," said Elliott. "They had to work so hard being outsized the whole night, yet they battled and battled. I thought Cierra's defense set the tone for everything, and I thought Andee did a really great job of managing the team. Our bench was amazing, our crowd was amazing, this was a big win. I am really proud of them." 

The Lions will take on San Diego at home on Saturday at 2 p.m., where the team will be joined by Girl Scouts to celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day.