LOS ANGELES – The Loyola Marymount University women's basketball team pushed the Portland Pilots until the end on Wednesday night in Gersten Pavilion, led by Ariel Johnson, Ciera Ellington and Khari Clark. While three Lions scored in double-digits and Johnson had a double-double, the team dropped the game to the Pilots 58-53. 
 

"We didn't get the result we wanted, but we have taken some huge steps over the past 10 days and I'm very proud of our fight," said head coach Charity Elliott. "This is WCC play. Every night is a battle and though we came up short tonight, Im excited about where we are headed."

 
Despite the Lions' slow start to open up the first quarter, Khari Clark put on a strong showing with seven points and two blocks, which led the Lions to trail by only two points to close out the first. 
 
There were a combined 15 points scored in the second quarter, as the Lions put up seven, and the Pilots put up eight, closing out the half with the Pilots leading 26-23. 
 
The Lions opened the third quarter with an 11-3 run to take a 31-29 lead over Portland. The Pilots responded with an 11-2 run.  Chelsey Gipson hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to close out the third down 42-41. LMU outscored Portland 18-16 in the third. 
 
After a hard fought fourth quarter from the Lions, the Pilots went on a 6-0 run to win the game 58-53. 
 
Johnson earned herself a double-double, as she scored 12 points and had 10 rebounds. The redshirt junior had one steal and also led the team in assists with Nicole Rodriguez with four a piece. 
 
Ellington and Clark both led in points with 13 a piece, while Ellington pulled seven rebounds. Meghan Mandel set her season high in blocks with five, nearing her career high of six. 
 
The Lions shot 42 percent from the field and 45 percent from behind the arch, compared to. Portland's 36 and 14 percent. LMU dominated. Portland in blocks and assists with 11 and 12, while the Pilots only had two and eight, respectively. 
 
The Lions will take their first conference road trip of the season next week to take on Santa Clara and University of San Francisco.