LOS ANGELES — Loyola Marymount used a balanced offensive effort and efficient shooting to earn an 87–66 victory over Pacific on Wednesday night at Gersten Pavilion.
Carly Heidger led the Lions with 18 points on 8-of-10 shooting, knocking down two three-pointers and providing steady scoring throughout the night. Ivana Krajina followed with 15 points and a game-high nine assists, directing the offense while adding four rebounds. Maya Hernandez contributed 11 points and six rebounds, finishing efficiently in the paint, while Jess Lawson rounded out the standout performances with 10 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals, impacting the game on both ends.
LMU set the tone early with suffocating defense and sharp execution, opening the game on a 10–0 run to seize immediate control. Heidger scored the Lions' first basket off a turnover, and Lawson fueled the surge with two steals that led directly to fast-break points. Krajina and Andjela Matić capitalized on the defensive pressure, converting inside looks as the Lions forced Pacific into early miscues.
Pacific eventually broke through midway through the quarter, but LMU continued to dictate the pace. Heidger remained aggressive offensively, finishing through contact and knocking down a jumper, while Hernandez added a smooth mid-range basket to extend the lead. Matić capped the opening period with a step-back three at the buzzer, assisted by Krajina, sending the Lions into the second quarter with a commanding 25–11 advantage after shooting 85.7% from the field in the opening frame.
The Lions continued to build separation in the second quarter, matching Pacific basket for basket while maintaining control on both ends. Krajina knocked down a three early in the period to extend the lead, and Lawson followed with a driving layup off a turnover to push the margin to 15. Pacific briefly found rhythm from the perimeter, trimming the deficit with a pair of threes, but LMU consistently answered. Heidger finished through contact in the paint off a feed from Krajina, and Krajina closed the half by converting two free throws in the final seconds as LMU took a 44–30 lead into the break.
LMU came out of the locker room with control in the third quarter, using efficient shot-making and defensive stops to stretch its advantage. Heidger opened the period by knocking down back-to-back three-pointers, the second pushing the lead to 20. Krajina continued to facilitate, assisting on multiple baskets as the Lions punished Pacific's defensive rotations. Hernandez added a pull-up jumper and converted at the free-throw line midway through the quarter, while Lawson capped the stretch with a driving layup off a steal late in the period. LMU outscored the Tigers 18–13 in the quarter to take a 62–43 lead into the fourth.
The Lions put the game away in the final 10 minutes, outscoring Pacific 25–23 while maintaining control throughout. Hernandez opened the quarter with a jumper to push the lead past 20, and Krajina followed with a transition three to halt an early Pacific push. Matić later knocked down a step-back three to stretch the margin to 27, and LMU sealed the win by capitalizing on turnovers and second-chance opportunities down the stretch, highlighted by baskets from Zawadi Ogot and Paula Reus Piza as the Lions led by as many as 29.
LMU returns to action at home on Saturday, Jan. 31, hosting Seattle at Gersten Pavilion with tipoff set for 2 p.m. PT.
