LOS ANGELES (Interstat) — The Loyola Marymount Lions used a dominant first quarter to set the tone and never looked back, cruising to an 87-66 victory over the Pacific Tigers in a West Coast Conference women’s basketball game Thursday night at Gersten Pavilion.

The Lions, improving to 13-8 overall, seized control immediately with a blistering offensive display in the opening period. They shot 10 of 14 from the field and connected on three of their four 3-point attempts to build a 25-11 lead. Carly Heidger of Dacula, Georgia, scored six of her 18 points in the quarter, while Jess Lawson of Las Vegas added six quick points off the bench. Pacific, which fell to 8-13, committed five turnovers in the frame, struggling to match Loyola Marymount’s pace and precision.

The most important part of the game was Loyola Marymount’s immediate and sustained offensive efficiency, which rendered Pacific’s attempts at a comeback futile. The Lions shot a remarkable 60.7% from the field for the game, including 50% from 3-point range. They were also perfect from the free-throw line, making all nine attempts. This efficiency was highlighted by an offensive rating of 131.3 points per 100 possessions, a stark contrast to Pacific’s rating of 95.2. The Lions’ ball movement and shot selection were superior, as they assisted on 20 of their 34 made field goals while committing only 10 turnovers.

Pacific, which lost to Loyola Marymount by 20 points just 12 days prior, showed flashes of resistance but could not sustain any momentum. The Tigers cut the deficit to 10 points late in the second quarter following a 3-pointer from Luisa Anderegg, but the Lions responded with a 7-0 run to close the half, capped by a Lawson layup and two Ivana Krajina free throws, taking a 44-30 lead into the break.

The Lions put the game out of reach early in the third quarter, opening with back-to-back 3-pointers from Heidger to push the lead to 50-32. Pacific never got closer than 15 points the rest of the way. Loyola Marymount’s lead ballooned to as many as 24 points in the fourth quarter before settling on the final 21-point margin.

Ivana Krajina of Kastel Novi, Croatia, orchestrated the Lions’ attack with a game-high nine assists to go with 15 points. Heidger’s 18 points came on 8-of-11 shooting. Maya Hernandez of San Jose added 11 points off the bench, and Lawson finished with 10 points, four assists and five defensive rebounds.

For Pacific, Sophia Mindermann of Folsom, California, led all scorers with 17 points, including five 3-pointers. Daria Nestorov of Zrenjanin, Serbia, filled the stat sheet with 14 points, nine assists and two steals, while Sydney Ward of Houston contributed 14 points and a block. Stella Szabo of Stockholm added nine points.

The Lions dominated key statistical areas, outscoring Pacific 28-22 in the paint and 20-18 off turnovers. Their defensive pressure forced 14 Pacific turnovers, converting them into crucial scoring runs that stifled any potential rallies.

Loyola Marymount will look to build on this performance when it hosts Seattle on Saturday. Pacific, mired in a three-game losing streak, returns home to face Santa Clara on Feb. 5.