LOS ANGELES – The ninth seeded Loyola Marymount University women's basketball team will close out its 2021-22 season in Las Vegas, Nev., this week, as the team will kick off the West Coast Conference Championships against the eighth seeded Pepperdine.
Last year was very similar, as the Lions and the Waves swapped seeding spots, playing each other in round one of the 2021 WCC Tournament. The Lions defeated the Waves, 85-73, advancing to the second round.
The Lions land the ninth seed spot after going 9-18 overall, and 4-13 in conference play. The Pepperdine Waves earn their eighth seed after putting together an 8-16 overall record and going 4-11 in WCC play.
The Lions head into Thursday's game coming off two tough road losses against San Francisco and Gonzaga. The Lions' last win was against University of the Pacific on Feb. 19.
Standout guard,
Ariel Johnson lead the Lions in scoring this season, as the junior finished with a total of 403 points, which landed her at the No. 7 spot in the conference for scoring. Johnson also led the team in assists with 100, No. 8 in the conference, as well as, and in steals with 50, No. 6 in the conference.
Alexis Mark led the Lions in rebounds with 197, which landed her at the No. 3 spot in the conference. On the other hand,
Khari Clark led the team in blocks, finishing with 18 which landed her at the No. 9 spot in the conference.
The Lions and the Waves met twice this season, as Pepperdine won both matches, by a combined eight points. The Lions went on a two-game winning streak after their first loss to the Waves, beating Pacific and Saint Mary's.
Pepperdine is on a four-game losing streak and most recently lost to Portland, 49-85. If you recall, the Lions defeated the Portland Pilots in their first match of the season on Feb. 5, 61-59.
Tip-off will be at 12:00 p.m. PST in Las Vegas, Nev., at the Orleans Arena. The game will be streamed on WCC Network and BYUtv. The winner of Thursday's game will take on the fifth seeded Saint Mary's Gaels on Friday at 12 p.m. PST.
