ALBUQUERQUE, N.M --The Loyola Marymount University women's basketball team fell in its first game of the Lobo Invitational in Albuquerque, N.M. against Ball State on Wednesday night. 
 
LMU vs Ball State: 27-77
 
The Lions had a dominating first quarter, starting with a three-pointer from CiCi Ellington. LMU went on a 10-3 run and maintained the lead for the entire first quarter. Jasmine Jones left the quarter with five rebounds, while the Lions closed out the first up 16-11. 
 
The Lions kept up their momentum in the second quarter, as the team quickly responded after Ball State put three points on the board, to only trail the Lions by two. Jones quickly responded and made a layup to start an 8-2 run. LMU took its first double-digit lead of the game after Chelsey Gipson went 2-2 at the line. The Lions then went on a 10-0 run to close out the half up 42-24. 
 
Ball State responded in the third quarter, going on a 15-2 run. The Cardinals weren't able to take the lead in the third, but they closed out the quarter down 54-50. 
 
The Cardinals came within one possession to open the fourth quarter, but Aspyn Adams made a three-point shot to extent the lead. Ball State then went on a 6-0 run to take their first lead of the game. The Lions continued to battle throughout the quarter, but came up short, closing out the game with a 77-72 loss. 
 
Gipson and Adams led the team in points with 15 a piece. Jones led the Lions in rebounds, while Naomi Yim led in assists with six. Adams went 4-8 behind the arch, while Jones went 3-3 from the field. 
 
The Lions shot 50 percent from the field, while the Cardinals shot 40.3 percent. LMU had 38 total rebounds, while Ball State had 36. 
 
Up next: The Lions will take on New Mexico on Thursday at 7:00 PM for their second of three games of the invitational.