Skip To Main Content

Loyola Marymount University Athletics

Skip to navigation

Scoreboard

Scoreboard

LMU WBB
51
Oregon St. OSU 13-6,5-1 WCC
55
Winner LMU (CA) LMU 10-7,4-2 WCC
Oregon St. OSU
13-6,5-1 WCC
51
Final
55
LMU (CA) LMU
10-7,4-2 WCC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Oregon St. OSU 12 18 15 6 51
LMU (CA) LMU 19 12 13 11 55

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

LMU Hands Oregon State First WCC Loss With 55–51 Defensive Win

LOS ANGELES- LMU handed Oregon State its first West Coast Conference loss of the season with a 55–51 victory Thursday night inside Gersten Pavilion, closing the game with a dominant defensive fourth quarter to pull away in a tightly contested matchup.

Jess Lawson led the Lions with 14 points and a game-high 16 rebounds, knocking down three three-pointers while controlling the glass on both ends. Carly Heidger matched Lawson with 14 points on 6-of-11 shooting, delivering timely scoring in the paint and providing a steady interior presence throughout the night. Maya Hernandez added eight points, eight rebounds and three blocks, anchoring LMU defensively and making key plays around the rim to round out the Lions' balanced effort.

LMU set the tone early in the opening quarter, using defensive pressure and efficient perimeter shooting to build an early advantage. The Lions opened the game with strong ball movement, getting on the board with a three-pointer before Lawson followed with a triple of her own to push LMU ahead 6–0.
Oregon State responded with interior scoring to trim the margin, but LMU continued to control tempo behind balanced offense and active defense. Heidger provided a spark midway through the quarter, finishing inside and later knocking down a three-pointer off an offensive rebound to stretch the lead. The Lions forced multiple turnovers during the period and capitalized with second-chance points, carrying a 19–12 lead into the second quarter after holding the Beavers to 38.5 percent shooting in the opening frame.

LMU maintained control through much of the second quarter, matching Oregon State basket for basket while continuing to set the pace on both ends. Heidger delivered another strong finish in the paint, and Hernandez capitalized on second-chance opportunities late in the period to help preserve the Lions' edge. Despite a late push from the Beavers, LMU carried a narrow 31–30 advantage into halftime.

The third quarter featured multiple lead changes as neither team found sustained separation. LMU struggled to find rhythm offensively early in the period but stayed within reach behind defensive rebounding and pressure. The Lions briefly reclaimed the lead behind timely perimeter shooting and a pull-up jumper midway through the quarter, but Oregon State answered late, sending LMU into the fourth trailing 45–44.

LMU locked in defensively in the final period, holding Oregon State to just six points to close out the win. Heidger set the tone with a pair of finishes in the paint early in the quarter, while Lawson added a second-chance three to swing momentum. Hernandez delivered key baskets down the stretch, converting inside to extend the lead as LMU continued to generate stops.
"If you were at any three practices this week, the challenge for us was defense," LMU head coach Aarika Hughes said. "I don't think anybody's more proud of our group than I am holding a team like Oregon State to 51 points. That's a hell of a team."
Heidger's performance reflected her importance to the group, according to Hughes.

"Carly's been a glue piece for us," Hughes said. "She does all the right things, she's prepared for the moment, and it was pretty fitting for her to produce the way that she did tonight."

The Lions sealed the victory with disciplined defense in the final minutes, controlling the glass and forcing tough looks as Oregon State struggled to generate offense. LMU held the Beavers to 3-for-12 shooting in the fourth quarter, closing the game with composure to secure the conference win.

LMU returns to action on the road at Pacific on Saturday, Jan. 17, at 2 p.m.
Print Friendly Version