LOS ANGELES, CA - After a historic 2025-26 campaign that saw LMU Women's Basketball capture the West Coast Conference Regular Season Championship and return to postseason play, the Lions enter the 2026-27 season with a roster built around veteran leadership, proven collegiate transfers, and an exciting freshman addition.
 
LMU welcomes six newcomers, including five transfers and one freshman, while returning seven players from last season's championship squad. The combination of experienced returners and accomplished additions positions the Lions for another competitive season on the Bluff.
 
#0 Sarah Deng | Guard | Senior
Deng arrives at LMU after spending the 2025-26 season at Florida following two standout seasons at Eastern Arizona College. A versatile two-way guard from Adelaide, Australia, she earned ACCAC Co-Division I Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2025 while helping lead Eastern Arizona to the NJCAA National Semifinals. One of the nation's Top 25 JUCO players, Deng brings defensive intensity and scoring ability to the Lions.
 
#2 Mari Somvichian | Guard | Senior
Entering her fourth season at LMU, Somvichian appeared in 17 games during the 2025-26 campaign. The Oakland native contributed 15 points, four rebounds, three assists, and four steals while providing valuable depth in the Lions' backcourt.
 
#3 Danae Powell | Guard | Junior
Powell joins LMU following two seasons at Fresno State, where she emerged as one of the Bulldogs' top offensive threats. As a sophomore, she started every game while averaging 12.3 points and 3.5 rebounds per game, finishing second on the team in scoring with 405 points. She also led Fresno State with 52 three-pointers while shooting 40.9 percent from beyond the arc.
 
#4 Allison Clarke | Guard | Junior
Clarke returns for her third season as a Lion after appearing in 24 games during 2025-26. The Anaheim native totaled 109 points, 21 three-pointers, 20 assists, and 29 steals while earning WCC All-Academic Honorable Mention recognition.
 
#6 Shawnee Nordstrom | Guard | Junior
A transfer from California Baptist, Nordstrom arrives after helping the Lancers capture both the WAC Regular Season and Tournament Championships. She started 23 games as a sophomore, averaging 8.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per contest while earning WAC All-Tournament Team honors.

#7 Ana Milanovic | Forward | Junior
Milanovic begins her second season at LMU after appearing in 12 games during her first year in Los Angeles. The Belgrade, Serbia, native finished the season with 23 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists.
 
#8 Shanayka Ismar | Guard | Freshman
The lone true freshman on the roster, Ismar joins LMU from Champlain Lennoxville in Quebec. A RSEQ First Team All-Star, she established herself as one of the league's premier players through her leadership, consistency, and ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor.
 
#10 Lova Lagerlid | Guard | Junior
Lagerlid enters her second season with the Lions after appearing in eight games during 2025-26. The Stockholm, Sweden, native recorded seven rebounds and a blocked shot while gaining valuable collegiate experience.
 
#11 Erica Finney | Guard | Redshirt Freshman
Finney comes to LMU after spending the 2025-26 season at Illinois. A former four-star recruit ranked No. 47 nationally by 247Sports, she has represented Australia internationally at the FIBA U17 World Cup and owns an impressive résumé that includes NBL1 East Defensive Player of the Year and Most Improved Player honors.

#13 Ivana Krajina | Guard | Graduate Student
Krajina enters her second season with the Lions after starting all 31 games during LMU's 2025–26 WCC championship campaign. The Kastel Novi, Croatia, native totaled 188 points, 86 assists, 60 rebounds, 38 steals and 26 three-pointers in her first season at LMU. Before joining the Lions, Krajina played at Texas Tech and Odessa College, where she earned NJCAA Division I First Team All-American, All-Region 5 and WJCAC Player of the Year honors.

#22 Ali'a Matavao | Forward | Redshirt Junior
After missing the 2025-26 season due to injury, Matavao returns healthy for her third season as a Lion. In her first season at LMU in 2024-25, she averaged over eight points per game before suffering a season-ending injury, highlighted by a 17-point, 12-rebound double-double.
 
#24 Kayla Jones | Forward | Senior
Jones returns after appearing in all 31 games during her first season with the Lions. The Norman, Oklahoma, native totaled 141 points, 79 rebounds, and 28 assists while serving as a consistent contributor throughout LMU's championship season.
 
#30 Janay Brantley | Guard | Senior
Brantley joins LMU following three seasons at Stony Brook. The Catskill, New York, native earned Second Team All-CAA honors after averaging 12.4 points per game as a junior while adding 125 rebounds, 40 steals, and 21 blocks.
 
#55 Maya Hernandez | Forward | Senior
One of LMU's returning leaders, Hernandez enters her fourth season after earning First Team All-WCC honors during the Lions' championship campaign. She finished second on the team with 441 points and 167 rebounds while recording three double-doubles. Hernandez also earned WCC All-Academic Team and CSC Academic All-District recognition, further cementing her role as one of the conference's top all-around student-athletes.
 
The Lions will officially open the 2026-27 season later this fall as they look to build on last year's conference championship and continue the program's upward trajectory under head coach Aarika Hughes.