By Nick Austin – Spear Reporter | Hennie Van Schaik in midst of throwing a free throw during a home game against LMU on Dec. 7 (Photo by Denim Bragg)
San Jose State women’s basketball (6-4) lost 82-71 against Loyola Marymount (6-1) after an attempted comeback in the second half.
The first half would ultimately be the Spartans undoing as they allowed LMU to score 38 points. SJSU trailed 38-23 going into halftime.
“We didn’t come ready to play today,” SJSU head coach April Phillips said after the loss. “It’s a lesson along the journey of being ready to play from the tip.”
LMU graduate student Naudia Evans finished the game with a career-high 32 points en route to LMU’s win.
“We switched around the matchups a little bit, tried some junk defense and she just couldn’t miss tonight,” Phillips said.
LMU ended the game with three players scoring double-figures.
To start the second-half, the Spartans came out hot as they cut the 15 point deficit to four. In the third quarter alone, the Spartans outscored their entire first-half output by two points.
“I think we were the aggressors, in contrast to the first half,” senior forward Hennie Van Schaik said.
However the Lions were able to rally to close the third quarter and lead 55-48.
A key factor of the game was untimely fouling on SJSU that led to free throws on the other end for LMU. SJSU shot 11-11 from the line while LMU shot 24-27.
“We just have to learn how to adjust to the refs and see how they are calling it and play defense without our hands,” sophomore guard Sydni Summers said.
The Spartans will look to bounce back as they face Tulsa at 6 p.m. on Tuesday at the Provident Credit Union Event Center.
