LOS ANGELES – The Loyola Marymount University women's basketball team held a led over No. 23 Gonzaga for the majority of Monday night's game, led by transfer Ariel Johnson, who put up 16 points. 
 
The Lions led the Bulldogs for more than three quarters of the game, but Gonzaga answered back in the fourth quarter, taking the lead and edging the Lions 65-62. 
 
Gonzaga opened up the game with a 6-0 run, but LMU answered back and tied things up at 11-11. The Lions then went on an 8-0 run to take the lead, closing out the first quarter up 19-13. 
 
The Lions kept their momentum up in the second quarter, never letting the Bulldogs take the lead. A three-pointer from Natalia Klimek gave the Lions their first double-digit lead of the game. LMU closed out the half up 33-25. 
 
The Bulldogs gained some momentum in the third quarter, taking a one-point lead, but LMU quickly responded and took the lead back and closed out the third up 48-44. 
 
Gonzaga opened up the fourth with a 6-0 run to take a lead, but the Lions tied things back up. The teams remained neck and neck up until just under three minutes left to play when Gonzaga took the lead and closed out the game up 65-62. 
 
Johnson put on an incredible performance for the Lions, as she led the team in points, steals and assists, with 16, four and two, respectively. 
 
Chelsey Gipson also scored in the double-digits, as the senior had 10 points and three assists. Khari Clark and Meghan Mandel led the team in rebounds with seven a piece, while Mandel had two blocks and Clark and Laura Vaida had one a piece. 
 
The Lions shot 41 percent from the field and 90 percent from the line, compared to Gonzaga's 36 and 75 percent. LMU had 32 total rebounds and 24 points off of the bench. 
 
The Lions will continue conference play on Wednesday when they host Portland in Gersten Pavilion at 4:00 PM PST.