LOS ANGELES – After trailing 12-0 and not scoring for the first nine minutes of the game, LMU women's basketball completed their comeback and earned their first home win of the season, defeating UC San Diego, 51-44.
 
Following the early deficit, LMU closed out the first quarter on a 5-0 run as Kimora Sykes hit a three and Jasmine Jones knocked down a pair of free throws with less than a second on the clock to make it 12-5.
 
The Lions closed out the quarter again in the second period, scoring the final four points before halftime to make it a two-point game at intermission. Ariel Johnson completed an and-1 in the final minute and a half and Nicole Rodriguez added a free throw in the final minute to bring the score to 20-18.
 
An 8-0 run in the third quarter gave the Lions their first lead of the game, 32-31. Se'Quoia Allmond started things with a knock down three-pointer, then Alexis Mark followed with a drive to basket and a layup. Rodriguez gave LMU the lead with a three at the 2:55 mark. After the Tritons retook the lead, Johnson hit the final layup of the quarter to make it a one-point game, 35-34, after 30 minutes.
 
Mark opened the fourth quarter with a three to push LMU ahead. After UC San Diego tied the score at 37-all, Sykes went on a personal 8-2 run to give the Lions a 45-39 lead with just over six minutes remaining. The Tritons used a 5-0 run to get back within one, but never retook the lead as LMU scored the game's final six points. The Lions made 8-of-9 free throws in the game.
 
Johnson shared game-high honors and led the team with 14 points. With her eight points in the fourth quarter, Sykes finished with 11 in the game. Mark had a well-rounded nine points, seven rebounds and three assists.
 
The win is Head Coach Aarika Hughes' first at home and second overall in the early stretch of her career.
 
The Lions return on the road for the next three games, facing CSUN on Wednesday before flying to Hawaii for a pair of games.