LOS ANGELES, Calif. - LMU women's basketball extended their winning streak to four games Thursday night with a 72-62 victory over Pepperdine at Gersten Pavilion, improving to 10-3 in West Coast Conference play. The 10 conference wins mark the program's best WCC start since the 2018-19 season, as the Lions now sit alone at second place in the conference standings.

LMU set the tone defensively from the opening tip. The Lions recorded a season-high 16 steals and tied their season best with four blocked shots, turning relentless ball pressure into 28 points off turnovers. That defensive energy helped offset early offensive exchanges and allowed LMU to steadily build control of the game.

After taking a 17-15 lead at the end of the first quarter, the Lions found their rhythm in the second. Andjela Matic knocked down a key three-pointer midway through the period to spark a scoring stretch, while Jess Lawson and Maya Hernandez went to work inside. LMU closed the half strong to carry a 40-29 advantage into the break.

The third quarter proved pivotal. The Lions held Pepperdine to just eight points in the frame, forcing multiple turnovers and contesting nearly every look. Lawson and Hernandez controlled the paint on both ends, and Matic stretched the defense with timely perimeter shooting as LMU extended its lead to as many as 18.

Pepperdine responded with urgency in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to three with just over three minutes remaining. But the Lions showed composure down the stretch. Carly Heidger delivered a crucial three-pointer to halt the Waves' momentum, and LMU calmly converted from the free throw line in the final minute to seal the 10-point win. The Lions finished 18-for-24 from the line, including several clutch makes in closing time.

Lawson delivered another all-around performance, leading LMU with 17 points while adding eight rebounds, four assists, and three steals. With her four assists on the night, she reached 250 career assists, adding another milestone to her standout season. Hernandez contributed 14 points and seven rebounds, Matic added 13 points on 3-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc, and Heidger finished with 11 points in a key offensive spark.

Now 16-8 overall and firmly in second place in the WCC at 10-3, the Lions will return to Gersten Pavilion on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 PM for a Valentine's Day matchup against conference leader Gonzaga, who currently sits atop the standings.


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