LOS ANGELES — Loyola Marymount earned its first win over Portland since 2022, pulling away in the fourth quarter for a 77–68 victory Wednesday night at Gersten Pavilion.
Maya Hernandez led the Lions with a game-high 20 points and six rebounds, anchoring LMU inside and converting consistently at the free-throw line. Carly Heidger added 15 points on an efficient 7-of-12 shooting performance, providing steady scoring and a physical presence on both ends. Jess Lawson finished with 10 points, a team-high six rebounds, three assists and four steals, setting the tone defensively throughout the contest. Ivana Krajina chipped in nine points and four assists, impacting the game in multiple facets during key stretches.
LMU opened the game with strong interior play but struggled to fully capitalize early as both teams traded empty possessions. Heidger won the opening tip and scored the Lions' first basket on a layup in the paint off an assist from Hernandez. Portland answered with interior scoring to briefly pull even, but LMU responded with defensive pressure and timely shot-making.
Heidger knocked down a corner three midway through the opening quarter to give LMU a 5–2 lead, and Kayla Jones followed with a turnaround jumper off a Portland turnover to extend the margin. Despite generating multiple second-chance opportunities, the Lions saw Portland close the gap late behind free throws and a driving layup at the buzzer. LMU went into the second quarter trailing 16–15 after holding the Pilots to 31.3% shooting in the opening period.
The second quarter featured a back-and-forth stretch as LMU leaned on offensive rebounding and defensive pressure to stay within striking distance. Andjela Matić knocked down a second-chance three early to tie the game, and Heidger followed with a strong drive to the basket as the Lions answered several Portland pushes. Lawson created extra possessions on the offensive glass and converted a driving layup off a turnover to knot the score midway through the quarter. Despite a late surge at the free-throw line by Portland, LMU closed the half with energy, forcing turnovers and attacking in transition, and went into the break trailing just 32–31.
The Lions came out of the locker room with renewed physicality in the third quarter, trading momentum as they worked to regain control. Matić sparked LMU early with a three to tie the game at 34–34, and Heidger followed with interior finishes to give the Lions brief separation. Hernandez asserted herself midway through the period, scoring through contact and getting to the line as LMU continued to answer Portland runs. The quarter featured multiple lead changes before LMU closed within two, trailing 51–49 entering the fourth.
LMU seized control in the final period with its most efficient stretch of the night, outscoring Portland 28–17 while shooting 71.4% from the field. Ana Milanovic and Heidger provided early baskets to keep the Lions within reach before Lawson ignited a decisive run, converting a driving layup off a steal and setting up Paula Reus Piza for a finish inside to give LMU the lead for good. Hernandez delivered key plays down the stretch, scoring through contact, protecting the rim with a block and knocking down free throws as the Lions extended the margin. LMU closed the game by going 8-for-14 at the line in the quarter and limiting Portland to one field goal over the final three minutes.
LMU returns to action on the road at San Diego on Saturday, Jan. 24, with tipoff set for 2 p.m. PT.
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