Game 1:
LMU Lions (5-8, 0-3 WCC) vs.
Santa Clara Broncos (8-5, 2-1 WCC)
Jan. 20, 2022 | 6:00 p.m. PST | Santa Clara, Calif. | Leavey Center
Stream: WCC Network
Series History*: LMU leads 21-19 (overall) and SCU leads 10-9 (in Santa Clara)
Last Meeting: Santa Clara 83, LMU 68 [3/6/21 at WCC Tournament Round 3]
Game 2:
LMU Lions (5-8, 0-3 WCC) vs.
San Francisco Dons (7-10, 1-4 WCC)
Jan. 22, 2022 | 2:00 p.m. PST | San Francisco, Calif. | War Memorial Gym
Stream: WCC Network
Series History*: LMU leads 25-19 (overall) and 10-8 (in San Francisco)
Last Meeting: San Francisco 84, LMU 66 [1/30/21 at LMU]
*Listed series record dates back to the 2001-2002 season
LOS ANGELES - Following 21 days off, four postponed games, and a tough 0-3 start to conference play, the Lions will look to bounce back this week with a pair of games in the Bay Area.
The Lions will get their first shot at a victory on Thursday when they take on the Santa Clara Broncos, a matchup that is always a tight battle. Over the last 15 meetings, the Lions have won eight, with a stretch of three wins from 2017-2018. The Broncos have taken the last two matchups, including a win in round three of last year's WCC Tournament.
Ariel Johnson will also be looking for a bounce back game after a tough shooting night against BYU. The senior is averaging 13.5 points per game on 44% from the field. Last season, Johnson shinned in her first trip to the Broncos, finishing with 19 points on 6-8 from the field, six free throws, and eight boards.
Under Head Coach Aarika Hughes, the Lions have adopted a fast-paced offense and quick rotations, both traits of the Broncos and their Head Coach, Bill Carr. With both teams moving up and down the court with pace, the Lions will need to watch for Lindsey VanAllen and Merle Wiehl in transition. The pair lead the Broncos in points per game with 16.8 and 12.8 respectively and are shooting over 40% from the field.
Following Thursday's contest, the Lions will travel 48 miles up highway 101 for their first meeting with San Francisco this season. The Saturday matinee will feature two squads hungry to get back to .500 on the year.
Aspyn Adams is no stranger to the Dons, as she tied the LMU record for most threes in a game with seven triples during her freshman season. Due to missing all of last season with an injury, this will be Adam's first time seeing the Dons since her record-breaking night.
The junior has struggled from distance at times this season, but found her rhythm in the Lions' win over Texas State, hitting four three-pointers.
The ace for the Dons is no secret to anyone in the WCC, as Ioanna Krimili has been making noise since her freshman season as well. The redshirt-sophomore is averaging 17.3 points per game and has scored over 20 in six games, including a season high 34 at Nevada.
Last time out against the Lions, Krimili had 29 points, 20 of which came in the first half. A shift in the defense to a box and one silenced Krimili in the third, but she returned to form in the fourth, hitting three buckets from downtown.
The Lions will be looking to slow Krimili's roll early to avoid another dominant performance by the Dons
A pair of wins would bring the Lions within one game of .500 in conference play and on the year. Both games can be seen on the WCC Network, with tip-off scheduled for 6 pm in Santa Clara and 2 pm in San Francisco.
