Box Score

Oregon St. OSU 23-10,13-5 WCC

LMU (CA) LMU 21-9,15-3 WCC

Oregon St. OSU

23-10,13-5 WCC

Final

Mar. 09, 2026

LMU (CA) LMU

21-9,15-3 WCC

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	3	4	F
Oregon St. OSU	13	19	13	28	73
LMU (CA) LMU	13	18	12	24	67

Game Recap: Women's Basketball | 3/9/2026 4:36:00 PM

Lawson Powers Lions with 25 as LMU Battles Oregon State in WCC Semifinal

LAS VEGAS, Nev. - LMU women's basketball battled until the final seconds Monday afternoon at Orleans Arena but fell just short in a 73-67 semifinal contest against Oregon State in the West Coast Conference Tournament.

Despite the result, the Lions delivered another resilient performance that reflected the identity they built throughout a historic 2025-26 season.

LMU opened the game with strong defensive energy, trading baskets with Oregon State in a tightly contested first quarter that ended knotted at 13-13. The Lions settled in offensively midway through the second quarter behind the presence of Jess Lawson, who began asserting herself in the paint with a series of tough finishes and key rebounds. Lawson's late three-pointer just before halftime cut the Beavers' lead to one, sending LMU into the break trailing just 32-31.

The back-and-forth battle continued in the third quarter as LMU briefly grabbed momentum following a score from Andjela Matic that pushed the Lions ahead. Oregon State answered with a run of its own, but LMU stayed within striking distance thanks to timely baskets from Paula Reus Piza and Allison Clarke off the bench.

Lawson continued to lead the charge throughout the second half, delivering one of her most impactful performances of the season. She finished with 25 points on 10-of-21 shooting while pulling down 10 rebounds to record a double-double, consistently attacking the rim and keeping LMU within reach during crucial stretches of the game.

Maya Hernandez also provided a strong two-way presence for the Lions, adding 11 points, four rebounds, and three blocks, while Reus Piza matched her with 11 points off the bench to help power LMU's offensive effort. Allison Clarke contributed 10 points, including two three-pointers that helped spark momentum swings for the Lions.

Oregon State managed to extend their lead in the fourth quarter behind a strong free-throw performance down the stretch, but LMU never backed down. Lawson continued to fight on the glass and score inside in the final minute, trimming the deficit before the Beavers ultimately secured the win.

While the semifinal loss closes the chapter on the conference tournament, it does little to diminish what has been one of the most memorable seasons in program history. The Lions finished the regular season as outright WCC champions and now turn their attention to the postseason.

The Lions now await Selection Sunday on March 15, when the NCAA Tournament bracket will be revealed live on ESPN at 5 PM, followed by the announcement of the WBIT and WNIT brackets.

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