Box Score LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Fresh off a win to kick off their final road trip of the season, the Pacific women's basketball team (9-10, 7-9) grinded out another thrilling victory on Saturday evening, taking down Loyola Marymount (5-16, 4-11), 73-69, for their third consecutive win.
 
After the Lions defeated the Tigers in Stockton on Jan. 21, Pacific was able to hold onto a 24-point halftime lead despite a late run from LMU to avenge their previous loss this time around.
 
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

• Wasting no time on offense, UOP began the game on a 11-0 run, capped off by a made three from senior Lianna Tillman at 6:16 in the opening period.
• Although the Lions would respond with a few buckets as the quarter closed, the Tigers started strong against LMU, tallying 19 first quarter points and taking a seven-point lead into the second quarter, 19-12.
• Continuing their rhythm from the floor, Pacific saw their advantage balloon to twenty points on a triple from sophomore Sam Ashby midway through the second, as UOP stayed out in front, 33-13 at 5:15.
• Applying pressure heading into the locker room, the Tigers would outscore LMU 23-6 in the second quarter, holding a dominant 24-point lead, 42-18, over the Lions at the halftime break.
• Unable to repeat their success out of the locker room, the Lions flipped the script on Pacific in the third quarter, outscoring the Tigers 32-13. However, heading into the final period of play, UOP still maintained their advantage, leading by five points, 55-50.
• Although LMU kept fighting to defend their home floor, the Lions would tie the game on a three from Cassandra Gordon with 3:34 remaining in regulation.
• Showing their grit, Pacific closed out the contest on a 9-5 run, buckling down on the defensive end in addition to converting offensive opportunities.
• Heating up at the right time, the Tigers went on to secure the 73-69 victory over the Lions for their third straight win and seventh overall in conference play.

 
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:

• Ashby was named the Hardworking Player of the Game after finishing with a new career-high five made triples. Overall, the Perth, Australia native tallied 19 points, 2 rebounds and 1 steal on 7-of-11 from the floor and 5-of-8 from deep.
• Spreading the wealth, three other Tigers notched double figures: senior Brooklyn McDavid (20), redshirt senior Valerie Higgins (18) and Tillman (10). In typical fashion, Higgins flirted with yet another double-double, pulling down a team-high 9 rebounds while also recording 6 assists and 6 steals.
• As a team, Pacific led LMU in points off turnovers (23-20), second chance points (14-7) and fast break points (9-7).

 
UP NEXT:
Pacific will wrap up their road trip and look for their second season sweep of a WCC opponent in the last week when they travel to San Diego to face the Toreros on Monday, Feb. 22. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 pm PST from Jenny Craig Pavilion. Live stream, live stats and radio links will be available via pacifictigers.com.
 
FOLLOW US:
For more updates and more information on the 2020-21 Pacific women's basketball team, be sure to follow @Pacific_Hoops on Twitter, @pacificwbb on Instagram and @PacificWomensBasketball on Facebook.