. . . as Women’s Basketball Team Battles for 1st Place

The Loyola Marymount women’s basketball team has a shot at first place when it plays host to the University of San Francisco at 7:30 tonight and St. Mary’s at 7:30 Saturday. USF and St. Mary’s enter the weekend tied for first in the West Coast Conference at 6-1. The Lions are a game and a half behind at 5-3 (12-10 overall). The Lions upset USF in San Francisco last weekend to create the first-place tie.

Junior guard Kristen Bruich leads the Lions with a 14.6-point average and continues to rank in the national top 20 in steals at 3.7 per game. She’s fourth in the conference in assists at 4.8 per game. Back-court mate Lynn Flanagan is next in scoring at 13 per game.

USF (15-5 overall) is led by guard Joy Boyenga’s 13.5 points per game and center Melinda Harrison’s 12.9, plus 9.6 rebounds, which leads the WCC. USF is the WCC’s best three-point shooting team, hitting 45.7% in conference games. Alice Solis leads the WCC in three-point percentage at 46.9%, and Boyenga is second at 46.7%.