Loyola Marymount Women Start Cage Conference Play at USF

The Loyola Marymount University women’s basketball team opens West Coast Athletic Conference play tonight with a two-game trip to the San Francisco Bay area.

The Lions, who have the WCAC’s best pre-conference record (8-6), play at USF tonight and at Santa Clara on Saturday. Both begin at 7:30 p.m.

Loyola is coming off a Rocky Mountain road trip that lived up to its name, with the Lions going 1-3, losing their last two games at Colorado State and Wyoming while scoring only 45 and 49 points. The Lions don’t have a player among WCAC scoring or rebounding leaders.

Guard Lynn Flanagan leads with a 12.6 average, followed by center Tricia Gibson at 9.5 and forward Regan O’Hara at 9.1. Gibson is third in the WCAC in shooting percentage (.455) while guard Kristen Bruich leads in steals (3.6 per game) and is third in assists (5.6).

USF, 4-9, is led by freshman Joy Boyenga, who is among conference scoring (13.7) and rebounding (8.3) leaders. She was named WCAC player of the month for December.

Santa Clara, 4-10, is headed by guard Jennifer Lucas who is third in the WCAC in scoring at 15 points per game and has been in double figures in 12 of 14 starts. She also leads in assists with an average of 6.8.

The Lions finally play at home again next weekend when they play host to Gonzaga and Portland.