SAN FRANCISCO – A 72-55 victory over the University of San Francisco gave the Loyola Marymount University women's basketball team (3-6, 2-2 WCC) its first road sweep of the season, led by Ciera Ellington. 
 
The Lions set the tone closing out their first West Coast Conference road trip of the season, with five Lions scoring in double-digits, including Ellington, who set her season high in points with 19, beating her previous season high of 18. 
 
"Another tough battle tonight and I'm so proud of how we came out from the tip ready to play," said Head Coach Charity Elliott. "We knew they would make a run, and they did, but we were able to withstand it. We made some tough shots and hit free-throws to finish the game."
 
LMU took the first lead to open the game. The Dons were able to take a lead twice in the first, but they couldn't keep up the pace with the Lions, as LMU remained on top, finishing the quarter up 21-18. 
 
The Lions continued their momentum into the second quarter and extended their lead to double-digits after a layup from Meghan Mandel. Mandel left the half with 10 points and three rebounds, while Ellington closed out the half with nine points. 
 
The Dons came within two points of the Lions in the third quarter, but LMU did not give up its lead. Ariel Johnson made noise in the third, putting up seven points and three boards. The Lions closed out the quarter up 54-47. 
 
The Lions gained even more momentum in the fourth, opening up the quarter with an 11-0 run to take an 18-point lead. LMU only allowed the Dons to score eight points in the fourth, meanwhile the Lions more than doubled that, scoring 18 to close out the game on top, 72-55. Ellington had six points in the fourth and three rebounds. 
 
Ellington was among five Lions who scored in double-digits, as Mandel scored 13, Johnson scored 11, and Natalia Klimek and Chelsey Gipson both scored 10 a piece. 
 
Khari Clark led the team in rebounds with seven, while Mandel and Klimek both had six each. Johnson and Klimek both had one steal each, while Gipson and Klimek both made two three-point shots. 
 
The Lions shot 50 percent from the field and 31 percent from behind the arch, compared to USF's 30 and 19 percent. LMU went 69 percent at the line and scored 20 points off of turnovers. The Lions had three total blocks and 10 assists, compared to the Don's zero and seven. 
 
"Little by little, we are getting better and building that chemistry," said Elliott. 
 
LMU will be back in Gersten Pavilion on Thursday January 7 to host BYU, and then on January 9 to host San Diego.