LAS VEGAS – The Lions season came to a close with a 75-66 loss to the San Francisco Dons in the third round of the Credit Union 1 WCC Basketball Championship.

Naudia Evans put together a strong performance in her final game with LMU, finishing with 18 points and six rebounds. 

Maya Hernandez contributed across the board with 16 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, while Brandi Williams also scored in double figures, adding 12 points and four rebounds in her last appearance as a Lion.

Both teams started with intensity in the first quarter, as LMU shot 5-15 from the field while USF went 7-13. The Dons held the lead for most of the period, but a three-pointer from Evans briefly put the Lions ahead. She followed up with another from deep, extending LMU's lead to four. However, USF closed the quarter on a 6-0 run to take a 17-15 advantage.

In the second quarter, the Lions found their rhythm, shooting over 50% from all areas of the court, with contributions from nearly every player on the floor. The margin fluctuated early in the period, but LMU cut it to one after a jumper from Carly Heidger. Once again, USF capitalized in the final moments, scoring the last four points of the half to take a 40-35 lead into the break.
Evans led the way for LMU at halftime, already in double figures with 13 points on 4-8 shooting, including 3-5 from beyond the arc.

Coming out of the locker room, USF maintained its efficiency, hitting 8-12 shots compared to LMU's 6-15. The Dons built a 10-point lead with 28 seconds left in the third, but Hernandez beat the buzzer with a layup to cut the deficit to single digits at 58-50.

Early in the fourth, USF stretched its lead to 12, but LMU responded immediately. A foul drawn by Hernandez ignited a 7-0 run, bringing the Lions within five. They continued to battle, and with 2:58 remaining, Hernandez's layup and clutch three-pointers from Allison Clarke and Heidger helped trim the gap further. However, time ran out before LMU could complete the comeback, and USF secured the victory.