LOGAN, Utah – First-year Head Coach Aarika Hughes officially has her first collegiate win as LMU women's basketball defeated Utah State on the road, 69-66. Five Lions hit double-figures in the win as the team-effort lifted their new coach to victory.
 
The Lions took leads of both 5-0 and 8-2 as Kimora Sykes hit early threes to open the game. A series of three layups in a row gave the Lions a 21-11 lead on the 6-0 run with 1:46 to play in the opening quarter. LMU carried a 21-15 after the first 10-minute period.
 
The LMU lead grew in the second as the Lions outscored the Aggies by nine in that quarter, even with Utah State cutting their deficit to one possession. Over the final five minutes before halftime the Lions outscored the hosts, 16-6, and went into the locker room following a Khari Clark jumper with four seconds on the clock.
 
Utah State responded in the third quarter with a 22-8 period to set up an exciting fourth. The Aggies nearly came all the way back and turned their 15-point halftime deficit into a one-point game, 51-50.
 
The lead was completely evaporated as the Aggies opened the fourth quarter with a layup on their opening possession before eventually taking a three-point lead. The Lions answered with the next five points as Jasmine Jones scored a layup to push LMU back on top, 57-55, with 6:52 remaining. Utah State tied the score at 57-all, before LMU used a 9-0 run to build up a cushion with 2:23 to play. The Aggies looked to complete one more comeback attempt, but timely free throw shooting by LMU clinched the game for the Lions.
 
Jones and Sykes led the team with 14 points each, while Clark, Nicole Rodriguez, and Ariel Johnson all hit double figures. Clark also finished with a career-high six blocks.
 
Johnson put together a well-rounded game with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists.
 
Jones shot 5-for-6 from the field and 4-for-5 from the field to get to her 14 points.
 
The Lions opened the year with three-consecutive road games, and following Friday night's result, Hughes will make her home debut next weekend with a win on her resume.
 
LMU will hold the annual Thanksgiving Invite with games at Gersten Pavilion on Friday and Saturday.