LMU Basketball: Men, women drop weekend contests

A solid first half wasn’t enough to prevent Loyola Marymount University’s men's basketball team from losing its first game of the season, 72-67, to the University of Nevada in Reno Nov. 9.

The Lions (1-1) saw a four-point halftime lead become a 12-point deficit before battling back late, but were unable to pull even. Eli Scott, despite fouling out, led LMU with 18 points, while Ivan Alipiev had 13 points and nine rebounds, and Deavaunta Williams had eight points and four assists coming off the bench.

The Lions now head return home to Gersten Pavilion Nov. 16 to play Colorado State.

Women

A lopsided second quarter ensured there would be no repeat of last year’s upset win over UCLA, as LMU’s women’s basketball team lost its official season opener 74-52 to the No. 11 Bruins Nov. 9 at Pauley Pavilion.

After a relatively close first quarter, UCLA outscored the Lions 32-13 in the second to take a 48-22 lead at intermission, and coasted home from there. Jasmine Jones (12 points) and Cierra Belvin (11) were LMU’s top scorers and Chelsey Gipson had five assists.

Next up for the Lions are a pair of 7 p.m. home games at Gersten Pavilion, Nov. 13 against Hawaii and Nov. 15 against Cal State Fullerton.