Box Score
(Los Angeles) - A block by Katy Keating in the final seconds of the game led the University of San Francisco women's basketball team to a 61-59 win at Loyola Marymount Saturday afternoon. The win marked the first West Coast Conference win of the season for the Dons, who earned their first road conference win since 2009.
The last time USF (3-12, 1-1) earned a road conference win was January 31, 2009, when the Dons downed the Lions (4-10, 0-1) 58-56 at Gersten Pavilion.
The two teams battled tightly in the first half, trading the lead five times. San Francisco jumped out to an early 6-0 lead thanks to a pair of 3-pointers from Keating, but Loyola Marymount roared back with back-to-back-to-back baskets from deep to take an 11-8 lead.
At 9:42, the Lions went up by five thanks to four straight points from Melissa Gomez, but the Dons recovered nicely. San Francisco opened an 8-0 run, thanks to five points from Aundrea Gordon, to go up 20-17 at 6:36. Loyola Marymount continued to battle, holding USF scoreless over the final 2:25 of the half to take a 28-24 halftime lead.
San Francisco's second half play was night and day of that in the first. During the opening 20 minutes, USF shot at a .250 clip, before posting a 55.6 shooting percentage in the second half.
The momentum changed at 11:49 for the Dons. Rheina Ale hit the front end of a pair of free throws, but missed the second. Taj Winston grabbed the rebound, dished it out to Ale, who sank a basket from beyond the arc to bring the Dons within two, 45-43. The next possession, Vania Singleterry grabbed one of USF's 11 steals, broke loose on a fast break and hit a lay-up to knot the game 45-45. USF went on to build an 8-0 run, to take the lead for the first time in the second half.
After Loyola Marymount regained the lead, USF took control at 2:33 by a lay-up on Winston, holding on to the lead for the rest of the game. LMU threatened with seconds remaining, but with :02 left on the clock, Keating came through with a big block to hold onto the 61-59 victory for the Dons.
USF was led by 12 points from Bailey Barbour, who added six rebounds and two blocks. Ale added 10 while Keating posted 11.
Whitney Daniels led the Dons defensive attack with eight boards.
Danielle Pruitt led LMU with 14 points, while Mackenzie Kerins pulled down a game-high 10 boards.
USF will return to action Thursday as they travel to Saint Mary's. Tip-off in Moraga is scheduled for 7 p.m.
