SAN FRANCISCO (Interstat) — In a gritty, defensive struggle defined by cold shooting and critical late-game execution, the Loyola Marymount Lions exacted a measure of revenge with a 66-57 victory over the San Francisco Dons in a West Coast Conference women’s basketball game Thursday night at War Memorial Gymnasium.

The win avenged a heartbreaking overtime loss to the Dons in Los Angeles just over seven weeks prior and improved the Lions to 20-8 overall this season. San Francisco fell to 16-12.

The most important part of the game unfolded in the fourth quarter, where Loyola Marymount transformed a narrow, back-and-forth contest into a decisive victory. Entering the final period clinging to a 41-40 lead, the Lions erupted for 25 points, their highest-scoring quarter of the night, while their defense stiffened to hold the Dons at bay. The Lions, who shot just 30.6% from the field for the game, found their offensive rhythm when it mattered most, connecting on key shots and capitalizing at the free-throw line to steadily pull away.

The game was a stark contrast in styles and efficiency. San Francisco dominated inside, outscoring Loyola Marymount 36-14 in the paint, led by the interior work of Candy Edokpaigbe and Mara Neira. However, the Dons’ offense was crippled by perimeter inefficiency and ball security issues. They shot a dismal 4 for 20 from three-point range and committed 18 turnovers, which the Lions converted into 11 points. Loyola Marymount, while also struggling from the floor, compensated with a marked advantage from beyond the arc, hitting 9 of 26 three-point attempts, and from the charity stripe, making 19 of 27 free throws compared to San Francisco’s 9 of 16.

The Lions’ backcourt duo of Jess Lawson and Andjela Matic provided the necessary offensive spark. Lawson, a guard from Las Vegas, scored a team-high 17 points in just 21 minutes, including several crucial free throws down the stretch. Matic, from Serbia, logged 34 minutes and contributed 15 points, hitting three three-pointers and coming up with key steals. Their perimeter scoring offset a quiet night from the Lions’ interior players.

For San Francisco, Mara Neira of Spain shouldered the offensive load with a game-high 18 points, but she needed 19 field goal attempts to get there. Edokpaigbe, from Italy, added 15 points and 9 rebounds, but the Dons’ offense often stalled, posting an offensive rating of just 76.4 points per 100 possessions. Aina Cargol facilitated with 4 assists, but the team managed only 8 assists total against their 18 turnovers.

The first half set the tone for a defensive battle. San Francisco led 17-13 after a first quarter marked by early turnovers and missed shots from both sides. The second quarter proved disastrous for the Dons’ offense, as they managed only 7 points. Loyola Marymount took advantage, using a 17-7 frame to build a 30-24 halftime lead they would not relinquish. The Dons fought back in the third, cutting the deficit to a single point, but could never regain the lead, as the Lions controlled the final ten minutes.

Defensive pressure was a constant for Loyola Marymount, which recorded 12 steals and forced San Francisco into an uncharacteristic number of miscues. The Lions also won the battle on the glass, securing 11 offensive rebounds to San Francisco’s 12, but generating more second-chance opportunities through sheer hustle.

The victory extends Loyola Marymount’s recent strong form, marking their fifth consecutive win. They will look to continue that momentum on the road at Oregon State this Saturday. San Francisco, meanwhile, will aim to regroup quickly before a short trip to face rival Santa Clara, also on Saturday.

In a matchup where Interstat’s ELO system favored the home team, the visiting Lions used a tough defensive posture and timely fourth-quarter scoring to secure a pivotal conference road win before an announced crowd of 267.