Preview: Loyola Marymount Lions at Washington State Cougars

NEBRASKA CITY, Neb. (Interstat) — The Loyola Marymount Lions and Washington State Cougars meet in a nonconference women’s basketball matchup Tuesday at Beasley Coliseum, with both teams looking to build momentum heading into the new year.

The Lions (6-6) enter on a tough note, falling 87-80 in double-overtime at Gonzaga on Sunday. Despite the loss, Loyola Marymount has shown resilience, splitting its last six games. Guard Allison Clarke, a player to watch, scored 17 points in that defeat and has been a key offensive contributor. She averages 7.5 points per game but is coming off her highest-scouting performance of the season.

Washington State (2-12) snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 66-63 home victory over Pepperdine on Sunday. The Cougars will rely on forward Charlotte Abraham, who posted a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds in that win. Abraham has been a bright spot, averaging 12.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per contest.

This game, organized by the West Coast, presents a contrast in trajectories. Loyola Marymount seeks to return to .500, leveraging a more balanced recent performance. Washington State aims to secure consecutive wins for the first time this season and find consistency after a difficult start.

The Lions’ offense, which put up 80 points against a strong Gonzaga team, will test a Cougars defense that has allowed 71.4 points per game. Conversely, Washington State will need Abraham and guard Eleonora Villa, who scored 17 points against Pepperdine, to generate offense against an LMU team allowing 64.2 points per game.

Tuesday’s contest is the final nonconference tune-up for both programs before each embarks on its respective conference schedule in early January.

Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. local time.