LOS ANGELES – LMU and Memphis played a game that featured all four quarters finishing within three points. The Lions put together a hot start in the fourth quarter before Memphis ultimately took the game, 73-65.
 
The Lions started the game leading 6-2 after Nicole Rodriguez went on a person 5-0 run. LMU hit three threes in the opening quarter as Rodriguez was joined by Kimora Sykes and Cassandra Gordon from long range. The Tigers took a 20-18 lead after the first 10 minutes.
 
Ariel Johnson tied the game on LMU's opening possession at 20-all. After Memphis took a pair of leads, Jasmine Jones provided the answer each time with basketball to tie the game at 22-22 and 24-24. The Tigers used a 7-0 run after that point to take a lead, but LMU made it a 37-32 game at intermission.
 
The Tigers took their largest lead of the game to open the third quarter, using a 10-2 run to lead by 13. The Lions used a run of their own to close the period with three consecutive layups scored over the final 1:20 to make it a 55-49 game with one period to play.
 
The run continued as LMU scored the first nine points of the fourth quarter, with seven coming from made free throws from Rodriguez. The extended 13-0 run between the end of the third and the start of the fourth pushed the Lions on top 58-55 with 6:52 to play. LMU held the three-point advantage with six minutes to play before Memphis responded with 13 unanswered points. A three by Johnson and a layup by Rodriguez were the only two baskets by the Lions down the stretch.
 
Rodriguez led all scorers with 21 points, hitting all seven of her free throw attempts and finishing 6-for-12 from the field. Johnson also finished in double-digits with 12 points.
 
The tournament will continue on Saturday, with LMU facing UC San Diego at 1:00 PM.