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Women's Basketball

Fast Start Fuels LMU’s 81–40 Win Over Seattle U

LOS ANGELES — The Lions take down Seattle 81-40 with a balanced offensive effort on Saturday afternoon at Gersten Pavilion.

Jess Lawson paced the Lions with 12 points while filling the stat sheet with five rebounds, five assists and three steals, consistently pushing the tempo and setting the tone on both ends of the floor. Paula Reus Piza matched her with 12 points, scoring efficiently inside and pulling down six rebounds to anchor LMU's interior presence. Maya Hernandez added 11 points and a game-high 12 rebounds, controlling the glass and finishing through contact in the paint, while Anđela Matić rounded out the standout performances with 11 points on efficient shooting, knocking down timely perimeter looks as the Lions pulled away.
LMU seized control from the opening quarter, using defensive pressure and relentless work on the glass to build a 17–2 lead after 10 minutes at Gersten Pavilion. After a scoreless opening stretch, Carly Heidger jump-started the Lions with back-to-back steals that led directly to points, scoring LMU's first basket on a jumper off a turnover before finishing a fast-break layup to make it 4–0. Ivana Krajina followed with a transition three, and Reus Piza added a fast-break layup as the Lions continued to surge.

The pressure only intensified as LMU forced Seattle U into consecutive turnovers. Allison Clarke knocked down a three off a turnover to extend the run, and Kayla Jones split a pair at the free-throw line to push the margin into double figures. Hernandez controlled the paint throughout the quarter, converting multiple second-chance opportunities, before Matić capped the period with a three at the horn off a steal and assist from Hernandez. LMU held Seattle U to 0-for-6 shooting in the quarter, forced 10 turnovers and out-rebounded the Redhawks 17–6 to establish early dominance.

The Lions continued to build separation in the second quarter, opening the frame with sustained defensive pressure and efficient execution. After Seattle briefly connected from the perimeter, LMU responded with ball movement and activity on the glass. Hernandez powered the early push with finishes inside, while Lawson added a put-back layup as the Lions forced empty possessions on the defensive end.

Energy from the bench sparked a decisive run midway through the quarter. Clarke buried a corner three off an offensive rebound, and Zawadi Ogot followed with a fast-break layup to extend the lead. Reus Piza provided another spark late in the half, recording a steal that led to a transition three from Heidger. LMU closed the half in control, capitalizing at the free-throw line and on second-chance opportunities, as Reus Piza converted a pair of free throws in the final seconds to send the Lions into the locker room leading 40–15.

LMU maintained control coming out of halftime, using disciplined defense and balanced scoring to further separate in the third quarter. The Lions limited Seattle U to just two field goals in the period while forcing difficult looks and converting consistently at the line. Hernandez stabilized the interior on both ends, Lawson provided energy in transition, and Heidger pushed the pace with a fast-break finish midway through the quarter. Jones extended the lead to 30 late in the frame, and Matić closed the period with a three in the final seconds to give LMU a 60–27 advantage entering the fourth.
The Lions closed the game with authority in the final quarter, continuing to pressure Seattle defensively while spreading the scoring across the lineup. Lawson set the tone early with a driving layup before adding another basket in transition to push the lead past 30. Matić delivered a highlight moment midway through the quarter, drilling a three off a turnover to stretch the margin to 40.

LMU's depth was on full display down the stretch. Ogot attacked the rim in transition for a fast-break layup, Mari Somvichian converted a strong second-chance tip-in, and Lova Lagerlid knocked down a corner three with under two minutes remaining. The Lions continued to force turnovers and control the glass in the closing minutes, comfortably closing out the 81–40 victory at Gersten Pavilion.
LMU hits the road Thursday, Feb. 5, to face Saint Mary's, with tipoff set for 6:30 p.m. PT.
 
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Players Mentioned

Allison Clarke

#4 Allison Clarke

G
5' 11"
Sophomore
Carly Heidger

#5 Carly Heidger

G
6' 3"
Senior
Maya Hernandez

#55 Maya Hernandez

F
6' 0"
Junior
Zawadi Ogot

#54 Zawadi Ogot

G
5' 11"
Sophomore
Paula Reus Piza

#30 Paula Reus Piza

F
6' 1"
Graduate Student
Mari Somvichian

#2 Mari Somvichian

G
5' 4"
Junior
Lova Lagerlid

#10 Lova Lagerlid

G
6' 1"
Sophomore
Kayla Jones

#24 Kayla Jones

F
6' 0"
Junior
Jess Lawson

#0 Jess Lawson

G
5' 7"
Graduate Student
Ivana Krajina

#13 Ivana Krajina

G
5' 11"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Allison Clarke

#4 Allison Clarke

5' 11"
Sophomore
G
Carly Heidger

#5 Carly Heidger

6' 3"
Senior
G
Maya Hernandez

#55 Maya Hernandez

6' 0"
Junior
F
Zawadi Ogot

#54 Zawadi Ogot

5' 11"
Sophomore
G
Paula Reus Piza

#30 Paula Reus Piza

6' 1"
Graduate Student
F
Mari Somvichian

#2 Mari Somvichian

5' 4"
Junior
G
Lova Lagerlid

#10 Lova Lagerlid

6' 1"
Sophomore
G
Kayla Jones

#24 Kayla Jones

6' 0"
Junior
F
Jess Lawson

#0 Jess Lawson

5' 7"
Graduate Student
G
Ivana Krajina

#13 Ivana Krajina

5' 11"
Senior
G