LOS ANGELES – The Lions came up just shy in a thrilling Sunday afternoon match against the San Jose State Spartans, with a final score of 61-53.
 
Opening the game, the Lions took the lead in the first quarter as Sydney Gandy nailed a three-pointer. However, the Spartans dominated with 17 points, leaving the Lions trailing at three points. Amaya Oliver's impressive up-and-under layup brought the Lions into double digits. As the first quarter concluded, LMU found themselves behind at 17-10 entering the second quarter.

The Lions opened the second quarter with back-to-back buckets, narrowing the gap to just three points. LMU clawed their way back to even the score at 24, but a blistering 8-0 run by SJSU in the closing moments of the quarter catapulted the Spartans to a 32-24 lead as they headed into halftime.
 
LMU burst onto the court with a surge of high energy in the third quarter, setting the tempo ablaze.
 
"Starting off strong defensively definitely led to a spark coming out of halftime," said Coach Hughes.
 
LMU ignited an impressive 8-0 scoring spree during the third quarter. A spectacular block by Oliver set the stage for a crucial three-pointer from Soufia Inoussa. In the very next play, Da'Ja Hamilton sank a three-pointer, leveling the score at 36-36. Regrettably, the Lions momentum faded, and their defense struggled, allowing the Spartans to net eight unanswered points, concluding the quarter with a score of 47-36.
 
In the fourth quarter, the Lions started a comeback, unleashing back-to-back three-pointers to narrow the gap to five, bringing the score to 37-42 with just under nine minutes on the clock. In a thrilling moment with 1:08 remaining, Alexis Mark executed a miraculous Hail Mary layup, securing both the basket and a drawn foul, converting it into a classic three-point play. Despite reducing the deficit to just two, time proved to be the Lions foe, and the ultimate comeback remained elusive. SJSU capitalized on the closing moments, scoring the final six points and clinching the victory.
 
The Lions have their next game against the BYU Cougars in Provo, UT, on Saturday, Nov. 25, at 1 PM MT.
 
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