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Scoreboard

Ivana with the ball
Laura Rivas
76
LMU (CA) LMU 21-10,15-3 WCC
80
Winner Stanford Stan 20-13,8-10 ACC
LMU (CA) LMU
21-10,15-3 WCC
76
Final
80
Stanford Stan
20-13,8-10 ACC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
LMU (CA) LMU 16 14 21 25 76
Stanford Stan 24 16 13 27 80

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Lions Leave It All on the Floor, Close Historic Season in Stanford Showdown

STANFORD, Calif. - In a game that perfectly reflected the heart of Loyola Marymount women's basketball, the Lions left everything on the floor Thursday night at Maples Pavilion. Battling until the final seconds, LMU's late rally came up just short in an 80-76 loss to Stanford in the opening round of the WBIT.

And just like that, one of the most remarkable seasons in program history came to a close - not with a fade, but with a fight.

LMU (21-10, 15-3 WCC) didn't just show up for their fourth postseason appearance in program history, they showed exactly why they belonged.

After a tough first half that saw Stanford shoot at a high clip and build a double-digit lead, the Lions never fractured. Instead, they leaned into what carried them all season long: trust, togetherness, and an unshakable belief in one another.

Every possession down the stretch reflected it - five players moving as one, making the extra pass, diving for loose balls, and lifting each other in every moment.

The comeback effort began to take shape in the third quarter, fueled by grit on the glass and timely scoring. Jess Lawson anchored the interior once again with a double-double (12 points, 11 rebounds), while contributions came from all across the lineup - a true reflection of a team that has never relied on just one voice.

Then came the fourth quarter - and Ivana Krajina.

The senior guard delivered one of her most electric performances of the season, pouring in 21 points and going 4-for-7 from beyond the arc, knocking down clutch threes that brought the Lions roaring back into contention.

With under three minutes left to play, Krajina's back-to-back triples cut the deficit to a single possession, igniting belief not just on the court, but on the bench - where every player rose together, fully invested in the moment.

That's who this team has been all year.

Carly Heidger added 12 points on an efficient 5-of-6 shooting, while Andjela Matic chipped in 11, and Maya Hernandez contributed across the board. But beyond the stat sheet, it was the way the Lions played - connected, selfless, and relentless - that defined the night.

Every player played for each other.
Every possession meant something.
Every moment was shared.

Stanford ultimately held on at the free throw line in the closing seconds, but LMU's 25-point fourth quarter push was a final reminder of the fight that carried this team all season long.

And while the scoreboard marked the end, it doesn't define the legacy.

This 2025-26 LMU team didn't just make history, they reshaped it. The Lions captured the WCC Regular Season Championship outright while posting a program-best 15-3 conference record, and their 21 total wins tied for the second-most in program history. Along the way, LMU pieced together a nine-game winning streak and earned national and conference recognition, highlighted by Head Coach Aarika Hughes being named WCC Coach of the Year and Jess Lawson earning Newcomer of the Year honors. The Lions added multiple All-WCC selections and major individual awards to their resume, all while returning to the postseason for the first time since 2019. Picked ninth in the preseason, LMU didn't just exceed expectations - they absolutely shattered them, establishing a new standard for the program moving forward.

And fittingly, they closed it the same way they played all year:

Together.
 
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