MALIBU, Calif. – The Loyola Marymount University women's basketball team pushed Pepperdine University to the very last second, but fell to the Waves 51-49 in Malibu, Calif. Senior Jasmine Jones made her first appearance of the season, after being out with an injury. 
 
The Waves opened up the game with a 9-0 run, but the Lions responded, going on a 9-0 run to tie things up. A layup from Meghan Mandel gave the Lions an 11-9 lead to end the first quarter. 
 
The Lions extended their lead to open up the second quarter, but then the Waves responded, the teams remained neck and neck. The teams left the first half tied at 24-24. 
 
The Waves gained momentum going into the third quarter, opening up with an 8-2 run. Pepperdine extended its lead and closed out the third ahead of the Lions 41-33. 
 
The Lions went on an 11-2 run to bring the game within one possession. A layup by Ariel Johnson with seven seconds left on the clock tied things up at 49-49, but then Pepperdine made a basket with just seconds left. 
 
Johnson led the team in points with 15, while Mandel had nine. Ciera Ellington and Mandel both lead the team in rebounds with five each, while Chelsey Gipson led in assists with four and Mandel led in blocks with four. 
 
The Lions shot 32 percent from the field, 23 percent from behind the arch and 57 percent from the line. LMU had 30 total rebounds, eight blocks, 12 assists and 12 steals. 
 
The Lions will be back home in Gersten Pavilion next week for their Pride in Pink game, in which the team will promote Breast Cancer and Pancreatic Cancer awareness, and then on Saturday for their Black History Month game.