Facing a 2-1 sets deficit, Loyola Marymount rallied to beat St. Mary’s in Moraga Nov. 3 to gain a split in their final road matches of the season.

The Lions (18-7 overall, 8-6 WCC) earned the 28-26, 15-25, 26-28, 25-23, 15-12 victory led by Sara Kovac’s 23 kills and 11 dogs, Savannah Slattery’s 20 kills, and Tess Reid’s 59 assists and 16 digs. There were 50 tie scores, 23 lead changes and no set with fewer than three lead changes.

It was a much-needed win for LMU following their straight-set loss (25-22, 25-14, 25-16) Nov. 1 to Pacific, a sub-.500 team that nonetheless kept the pressure on throughout. Only Kovac posted double-digit kills for LMU (10), while Alexis Morrow had seven kills and a .700 hitting percentage.

The Lions return home for their final four WCC matches of the year against Pepperdine (Nov. 10), Portland (Nov. 15), Gonzaga (Nov. 17) and BYU (Nov. 20). This Saturday’s match is the second of the PCH Cup events, the first won last month by Pepperdine.

Women’s soccer

An early goal by senior Emma Tyrnauer wasn’t enough to keep the Lions (3-13-4, 1-7-1 WCC) from a 2-1 loss to conference leader BYU in their final game on Nov. 3, at Sullivan Field.

Tyrnauer knocked in a loose ball from close in at the 26th minute for a 1-0 LMU lead. But the Cougars came back with goals in the 60th and 70th minutes and held off a frantic Lions rally for the victory.

LMU senior goalie Charlee Pruitt, one of seven Lions playing their final game, posted five saves for a career total of 307, second on LMU’s all-time list.

Women’s basketball

The Lions opened their 2018-19 season with a 81-53 exhibition victory over Point Loma Nov. 1 at Gersten Pavilion. Sophomore Jasmine Jones from Long Beach Poly led LMU with 16 points and nine rebounds, and senior Gabby Green from Oakland had 13 points and seven steals.

Coached by Charity Elliott, LMU takes on UCLA Nov. 6 at Gersten Pavilion, then travels to Tucson to play Arizona on Nov. 13. The Lions’ roster includes seniors Andee and Bianca Velasco from Mater Dei High School.

Men’s soccer

A breakaway overtime goal gave San Diego a 2-1 win over LMU at Sullivan Field Nov. 4. The Lions scored in the 50th minute when Dylan Shockey punched home a deflection, but San Diego tied the score in the 75th minute before converting the overtime winner.

LMU (5-12, 2-4 WCC) ends its season Nov. 10 hosting San Francisco.

Mike Nelson is the former editor of The Tidings (predecessor of Angelus News).

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