Trailing 43-36, Loyola Rallies to Defeat CS Northridge, 54-48

The Loyola Marymount women’s basketball team survived a scare from winless Cal State Northridge before rallying for a 54-48 nonconference victory Thursday night at Northridge.

The victory ended the Lions’ six-game losing streak and extended the Matadors’ losing streak to 17 games, 21 dating from last season.

Loyola led, 30-21, at halftime, but an 18-3 run spearheaded by Christine Rumfola gave Northridge a 39-33 lead.

The Matadors had their largest lead with 12 minutes and 13 seconds remaining, but the Lions answered with an 8-0 run to take a 44-43 advantage.

“I guess I was kinda nervous for a second because we tend to let up in the second half,” Loyola’s Nicki Rouillard said. “I knew I had to get the team together. We needed this win.”

With Rouillard as the catalyst, the Lions held the Matadors scoreless for the final 4:49.

Rouillard finished with a team-high 15 points and four assists and Desiree Warren and Tanya White scored 11 points each for the Lions (6-7).

Loyola begins West Coast Conference play Thursday at Portland.