Women’s Basketball: Late struggles lead to LMU losses

After two fourth-quarter collapses in the Northwest led to two lopsided defeats, Loyola Marymount University’s women’s basketball team tries to get back on the winning track this week at home with West Coast Conference games against St. Mary’s and Pacific.

A recap of last week:

Jan. 23: 49-74 at Portland: Despite a brilliant effort from Jasmine Jones (a career-best 26 points plus nine rebounds), the Lions were outscored 41-24 in the final 20 minutes in their defeat. The Pilots ran off 13 straight points early in the final quarter to take a 19-point lead and never looked back. Chelsey Gipson scored 13 points and Laura Vaida grabbed nine rebounds for LMU.

Jan. 25: 52-78 at Gonzaga: Shooting just 30 percent for the game, LMU fell behind by eight points early at Spokane to the No. 13-ranked Zags, then was outscored 24-12 in the final quarter. Gipson led the Lions with 14 points, and Ciera Ellington had 13 with six rebounds.

Upcoming: The Lions (7-15 overall, 3-6 WCC) host St. Mary’s (9-11, 4-5) on Jan. 30 at Gersten Pavilion, seeking to avenge a 16-point loss to the Gaels at Moraga. On Feb. 1, LMU hosts Pacific (12-8, 5-4) which beat the Lions in Stockton on Jan. 2. LMU then plays the following week at Santa Clara and San Francisco.