LAS VEGAS — Veteran experience and fresh legs proved to be the difference for No. 5 seed Loyola Marymount Friday, as the Lions pulled away in the second half from the ninth-seeded San Francisco women's basketball team to win, 66-45, in the second round of the 2019 University Credit Union West Coast Conference Basketball Tournament at the Orleans Arena.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Two completely contrasting stretches during the third quarter turned out to be the difference in Friday's matchup. Loyola Marymount (18-13, 10-8 WCC) led by nine at halftime and pushed its lead to 11 with the first basket out of the gate in the third. Then the San Francisco defense came on strong. The Dons (7-24, 2-16 WCC) held LMU scoreless for more than 5 1/2 minutes, forcing five straight turnovers and six overall during the stretch while the Lions went 0 for 4 from the floor and missed two free throws.
   
• Meanwhile, the Dons slowly worked their way back, whittling down LMU's 11-point advantage to just three at 36-33 with under four minutes to play in the period. But the Dons missed their own opportunities on the offensive end during that same torrid defensive stretch. With all of LMU's turnovers and missed shots giving the ball back to the Dons, they only made 3 of 7 shot attempts, turned the ball back over twice themselves, and also missed three free throws – leaving them trailing by three.
   
• That's when the sleeping Lions awoke. LMU scored seven straight points in the final minute of the third, including two 3-point daggers in the last 25 seconds, to run its lead back up to 11 at 47-36. Three different Lions scored during an 11-3 run that closed out the quarter.
   
• San Francisco competed right alongside Loyola Marymount through the first quarter. LMU staked itself to a five-point lead, but Marianna Klavina – Thursday's first round hero – knocked down two free throws and Julia Nielacna hit a game-tying 3-pointer to make it 14-14. The teams traded baskets before LMU hit a 3 right before the end of the first.
   
• The second quarter was still close, but LMU closed the frame on a 9-3 run. Lucija Kostic hit a running layup to make it a three-point game again at 25-22 midway through the period. But the Dons would finish the half 0 for 5 from the floor and did not score in the final 4:05 of the second.

NOTABLE NUMBERS

• 11: Loyola Marymount grew its lead with second-chance points. The Lions held an 11-3 advantage in second-chance points, including scoring seven in the first half.
• 39: Another difference maker in the game was LMU's rebounding advantage. The Lions outrebounded San Francisco, 39-22, including 12-5 on the offensive end.