LOS ANGELES – The Loyola Marymount University women's basketball team opened up its 2019-20 season against No. 11 UCLA on Saturday afternoon, where the team put up a fight, but fell to the Bruins 74-52.
 
LMU vs. UCLA – 74-52
"I think we came out a little shell shocked, it took us a little bit to find our groove we missed easy baskets, we turned the ball over," said head coach Charity Elliott. "Credit to UCLA, they had their hands-on passes. We really settled down in the second half. Our composure was better, our decision making was better. I am really proud of the fact that we got down and didn't quit, we kept fighting. We did some really good things in the second half, and we are going to build on that and keep getting better." 
 
UCLA opened up the first quarter with an 8-0 run. CiCi Ellington put the Lions on the board after making a layup, which was followed by a three-pointer from Chelsey Gipson. LMU closed out the first quarter down 16-9. 
 
The Bruins gained momentum in the second quarter, as they took their first double-digit lead of the game at 22-11. The Lions battled, but left the second quarter down 48-22. 
 
Cierra Belvin opened up the second half with a layup, and then followed it up with a three-pointer. Belvin put two more points on the board after a technical foul, bringing the score to 52-31. LMU left the third quarter 60-35. 
 
The Lions fought until the end in the fourth quarter, but the Bruins came out with the win, 74-52. 
 
Jasmine Jones led the Lions in points with 12, while Belvin had 11. Aspyn Adams came out in the fourth quarter, putting up two of LMU's four three-pointers. Ellington led the Lions in rebounds with six, while Laura Vaida had five. Gipson led in both assists and steals, with five and four, respectively. 
 
The Lions shot 32 percent from the field, compared to UCLA's 43 percent, while LMU shot 24 percent from behind the arch, while UCLA shot 25. LMU had a 57-free-throw percentage and had 39 total rebounds. 
 
"I am really proud of Ciera Belvin really showed tremendous leadership in a challenging situation," said Elliott. 
 
Up next: The Lions will host Hawaii in its home opener on Wednesday November 13 at 7:00 PM in Gersten Pavilion.