Having won its exhibition opener last weekend, Loyola Marymount University’s women’s basketball team officially opens its 2019-2020 season Nov. 9 against No. 11 UCLA at Pauley Pavilion.
The Lions overcame a four-point halftime deficit to beat Point Loma 59-50 on Nov. 2 at Gersten Pavilion, as junior Jasmine Jones led the way with 20 points and nine rebounds. Senior Raychel Stanley (Bishop Gorman HS in Las Vegas) also had nine rebounds and a pair of blocked shots, and sophomore Naomi Yim scored 14 and had four assists.
This year’s LMU team also includes junior Chelsey Gipson, selected to the All-West Coast Conference pre-season team along with former local Catholic prep stars Brooklyn McDavid (Alemany) and Valerie Higgins (Chaminade), both of whom play for the University of the Pacific.
The Lions are picked to finish sixth in the WCC this season, with Gonzaga and BYU expected to lead the pack. Last season LMU finished 18-15 overall and 10-8 in the WCC, tied with Pacific for fifth.
It was nearly a year ago at Gersten Pavilion that LMU scored its first win ever over UCLA, 69-63, led by Gabby Green’s 25 points. The Bruins’ 2019-2020 squad includes 6-foot-4 senior Aly Rosenblum, former All-State player at Mater Dei High School.
