LOS ANGELES – The Loyola Marymount University women's basketball team returned home to Gersten Pavilion for the first time in almost three weeks on Thursday night to host Saint Mary's, which ended in a 70-61 loss for the Lions. 
 
Raychel Stanley made the first basket of the game, but the Gaels tied it up and took the lead. LMU was able to tie things up two times, but never regained the lead and closed out the first quarter down 20-14.
 
The Gaels took their first double-digit lead early in the second, the Lions were able to cut their deficit down by as little as eight, but SMC ended up closing out the half up 35-25. 
 
The Lions gained momentum in the third, as they went on a 10-2 run, but it wasn't enough to catch up with the Gaels. LMU closed out the third down 52-38. 
 
LMU gained momentum in the fourth, as the Lions outscored the Gaels 23-18, but SMC still came out with the win, 70-61. 
 
CiCi Ellington led the Lions in points and assists with 20 and four, respectively, while Chelsey Gipson had 14 points. Laura Vaida led the Lions in rebounds with nine, while Gipson and Ellington had two steals a piece.
 
LMU shot 41 percent from the field, compared to the Gael's 45. The Lions out shot SMC from the free-throw line, with 83 percent, while the Gales shot 78. SMC had 19 total turnovers, while LMU had 14. The Lions had 26 total rebounds and 12 assists.  
 
Up next: The Lions will host Pacific in Gersten Pavilion on Saturday at noon.