LOS ANGELES — LMU leaned on defensive pressure, balanced scoring and late-game composure to pull away in the fourth quarter for a 92–85 home win over Santa Clara on Friday night at Gersten Pavilion, improving to 2–1 in West Coast Conference play and moving into a tie for third place in the league standings.

Jess Lawson led the Lions with 21 points and seven rebounds, knocking down 11 free throws while anchoring LMU down the stretch. Maya Hernandez followed with a game-high 25 points, tying her season high, while adding five rebounds and a career-high seven steals to fuel the Lions on both ends. Andjela Matic contributed 11 points and five assists while connecting on two three-pointers, and Ivana Krajina chipped in six points with strong two-way play. Off the bench, Paula Reus Piza scored 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting, while Zawadi Ogot added six points to round out LMU's balanced scoring effort.

"I'm really excited about where our team is going," head coach Aarika Hughes said. "I think we're starting to believe and know that we're a complete team. This is a very good Santa Clara team with a lot of firepower, and I was proud of our ability to respond when we got away from our game plan."
LMU set the tone early in the opening quarter with defensive pressure and pace, forcing turnovers and converting them into transition points to seize control. The Lions scored on their first two possessions, as Carly Heidger finished in the paint off a feed from Matic before Hernandez followed with a fast-break layup off a takeaway to give LMU a 4–0 lead. Reus Piza knocked down a three-pointer from the wing midway through the period, and Lawson and Ogot added finishes inside as LMU stretched the margin and carried a 19–11 advantage into the second quarter.

The game tightened in the second quarter as Santa Clara answered with a physical push, trimming the margin during a stretch marked by half-court possessions and trips to the free-throw line. LMU weathered the run behind steady defensive rebounding and timely responses, including a jumper from Reus Piza and free throws from Matic, before trading baskets late to head into halftime tied at 35–35.

LMU regained momentum in the third quarter by leaning on its defense and interior play. Krajina sparked a key sequence with a steal that led to a Lawson layup, and Reus Piza converted inside to keep the Lions in front. Lawson continued to attack downhill and draw fouls as LMU closed the period composed and efficient, taking a slim 57–56 lead into the final 10 minutes.

The Lions took control in the fourth quarter, outscoring Santa Clara 35–29 to pull away. Lawson opened the period with a finish in the paint, and Hernandez followed with a layup and a mid-range jumper to swing momentum back in LMU's favor. Matic later knocked down a key three-pointer, and the Lions sealed the win at the free-throw line, as Lawson and Krajina combined for eight points in the final minute.

"Shooting almost 90 percent from the free-throw line really counted down the stretch," Hughes said. "That composure late was huge for us."

LMU returns to action at Gersten Pavilion on Sunday, Jan. 4, with a 2 p.m. PT tip as conference play continues.

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