LOS ANGELES — LMU delivered a dominant performance Tuesday night, rolling past Chapman 81–27 at Gersten Pavilion in a result that etched its place in the program record books. The 27 points allowed marked the lowest opponent scoring total in program history, while the 54-point margin stood as the third-largest victory margin in LMU history.
Only two wins rank ahead of the Lions' decisive showing: a 130–45 victory over Master's College on Nov. 23, 1990 (+85), and a 101–43 win over Bethesda University on Nov. 9, 2024 (+58).
LMU's scoring effort was led by Andjela Matic, who finished with a game-high 17 points on an efficient 7-of-9 shooting night, including three makes from beyond the arc. Kayla Jones followed with 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting, consistently finishing around the rim. Jess Lawson added 11 points while also pulling down a team-high eight rebounds and dishing out three assists to anchor LMU's all-around performance. Zawadi Ogot rounded out the balanced attack with 10 points and strong activity on both ends of the floor.
LMU set the tone early, using defensive pressure and transition offense to build an 18–6 lead by the end of the first quarter. After Chapman scored the opening basket, the Lions responded with a decisive run fueled by turnovers and fast-break opportunities. Maya Hernandez opened LMU's scoring with a layup in the paint, and Lawson followed with a second-chance jumper off a turnover to seize early momentum.
Matic knocked down a corner three to ignite a stretch in which LMU scored nine of the next 12 points. Ana Milanovic provided an immediate lift off the bench, converting a pull-up jumper off a turnover and drawing contact for a free throw moments later. Ogot was active on both ends, finishing a fast-break layup through traffic and pulling down defensive rebounds to limit Chapman's second chances. Lawson closed the quarter by calmly sinking a pair of free throws in the final 30 seconds to push the margin to double digits.
Defensively, LMU forced eight Chapman turnovers in the opening period and held the Panthers scoreless in the paint. The Lions capitalized on those miscues with six fast-break points and 10 points in the paint while limiting Chapman to 20.0% shooting.
The Lions continued to build separation in the second quarter, outscoring Chapman 20–6 to take a commanding 38–12 lead into halftime. Heidger opened the period with a pull-up jumper in the paint, and Ivana Krajina followed with a second-chance three. LMU sustained pressure with interior finishes from Carly Heidger and Hernandez, while Matic added another three to stretch the lead as high as 26. Chapman managed just two points in the paint during the quarter, shooting 18.2% from the field.
LMU delivered its most productive stretch after halftime, pouring in a game-high 24 points in the third quarter to extend the lead to 62–20. Matic jump-started the half with a steal and fast-break layup, Hernandez continued to score inside on second chances, and Lawson attacked the rim and converted at the line. The Lions' ball movement and rebounding created sustained pressure, pushing the advantage beyond 40 entering the final period.
The Lions closed the game with composure in the fourth quarter, outscoring Chapman 19–7 while continuing to capitalize on turnovers and transition chances. Ogot highlighted the period with a pair of fast-break finishes, and LMU pushed the margin past 50 late before Paula Reus Piza capped the scoring with a basket in the final seconds.
LMU finished the night with a 52–6 advantage in points in the paint and forced 29 Chapman turnovers, turning them into 24 points.
The Lions remain home to host Weber State on Saturday, Dec. 20, at 3:30 p.m. in Gersten Pavilion.
