LOS ANGELES – The Loyola Marymount University women's basketball team put on a stellar performance Thursday night in Gersten Pavilion, as the team beat UC Irvine 66-56. Sophomore Khari Clark led the Lions to their home-opener victory with a career high of 19 points. 
 
"That was one of the gutsiest wins that I can remember," said head coach Charity Elliott. "We didn't quit, we got down and we kept fighting. Meghan and Khari owned the boards. I couldn't be prouder of this team." 
 
 The Lions put the first two points on the board when Meghan Mandel went to the line, but the Anteaters took the lead after a three-pointer was made. UCI extended its lead, but a layup from Chelsey Gipson tied the game up at 9-9. The Anteaters ended the first on top, 19-13. 
 
UCI scored the first basket in the second quarter, but the Lions answered back with a 9-2 run to tie things up. The teams remained neck and neck throughout the quarter, but UCI closed out the half up 34-28. 
 
The Lions picked up momentum in the third quarter, outscoring UCI 16-13. LMU went on an 11-3 run to close out the third down by only three points. 
 
LMU set the tone right away in the fourth, as Natalia Klimek opened up with a three-pointer to tie things up, and then the Lions took the lead after a breakaway and a layup from Clark. The Anteaters weren't able to keep up with the Lions, as LMU maintained the lead for the rest of the game. A free throw by Clark gave the Lions a double-digit lead to win the game 66-56. 
 
Clark set her career high in points with 19, while also leading the team in rebounds with nine. Ciera Ellington led the team in points. With 19, while Klimek had 12. Nicole Rodriguez played 39 minutes of basketball and led the team in assists with six. Mandel led the team in blocks with three, while Klimek made three shots from behind the arch.
 
The Lions shot 47 percent from the field and went 81 percent at the line, compared to the Anteaters' 31 and 53, respectively. The Lions had 38 total rebounds, five blocks, six steals and 17 assists, leading UCI in all categories. 
 
The Lions will head to Phoenix, Ariz., where they will take on Grand Canyon University on Saturday at noon.