LOS ANGELES – LMU Lions lost 78-73 to the South Dakota Coyotes Sunday Afternoon, in a game that went down to the wire. The Lions are now 2-5 on the season. 
 
"I'm proud of the effort, but disappointed with the outcome," said Coach Aarika Hughes.
 
Alexis Mark had another great performance, recording her second double-double of the week with 20 points and 10 rebounds.
 
"As a senior, she's a spark. She's a match-up problem for most teams," said Hughes. "She works tirelessly at her craft; we expect her to perform that way."
 
Nicole Rodriguez had 13 points, shooting 5-13 from the field. This is her second game finishing in double digits.
 
Amaya Oliver showcased her well-rounded skills with seven points, five rebounds, and three blocks.
 
Early in the game, the Coyotes secured the initial points, but the Lions quickly responded with consecutive layups from Mark. The quarter remained tightly contested, with the deficit never exceeding four points. Despite the Lions narrowing the gap to two points on two occasions, the quarter concluded with the Coyotes holding a four-point lead, 16-12.
 
In the second quarter, the Lions faced challenges in establishing their rhythm, yet Rodriguez's pivotal three-pointer narrowed the gap to six points against the Coyotes, with the score reaching 26-20. A final 4-0 run, capped by a buzzer-beater, infused optimism despite heading into halftime with a slight deficit of 27-24.
 
In the opening moments of the second half, the Coyotes notched five consecutive points, establishing a seven-point lead. South Dakota maintained control until a significant three-pointer by Ella Wedin leveled the score at 37-37. This marked a pivotal shift for the Lions, who ultimately seized the lead by the end of the quarter, closing it out at 44-40.
 
At 7:08, the Lions achieved their biggest advantage, with Oliver's layup extending their lead to eight at 50-42. The score tied four additional times, and the fourth tie arose from South Dakota's successful three-pointer, forcing the game into overtime with a tied score of 63-63.
 
 
Similar to the fourth quarter, the score saw numerous ties during overtime. However, with only five minutes to play, the Lions couldn't secure the win and ultimately suffered a five-point loss, concluding with a score of 78-73.
 
The Lions aim to bounce back in their next game against the Montana Grizzlies on Wednesday, Dec. 6, at 10 AM MST.
 
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