MALIBU, Calif. (Interstat) — Andjela Matic scored 20 points and Maya Hernandez added 21 as Loyola Marymount edged Pepperdine 83-78 in overtime Thursday night in a West Coast Conference women’s basketball game. The Lions overcame a 23-point first quarter by the Waves at Firestone Fieldhouse. Pepperdine’s Elli Guiney led all scorers with 22 points and forced overtime with a late fourth-quarter surge, erasing a deficit that reached 14 points. Loyola Marymount dominated the extra period, holding Pepperdine to just five points while scoring 10. The Lions improved to 9-7 overall. Pepperdine fell to 10-6.

MALIBU, Calif. (Interstat) — In a West Coast Conference clash defined by dramatic momentum swings and a relentless performance from Andjela Matic, the Loyola Marymount Lions outlasted the Pepperdine Waves 83-78 in overtime Thursday night at Firestone Fieldhouse. The Lions, who improved to 9-7 overall, squandered a 15-point second-half lead, surrendered a 25-point fourth quarter to the Waves, and then dominated the extra period to secure a critical road victory. Pepperdine fell to 10-6. The most pivotal sequence of the game unfolded in the final minute of regulation and the opening possessions of overtime, a stretch that ultimately decided the contest. Trailing 73-71 with under 30 seconds to play in the fourth quarter, Loyola Marymount’s Maya Hernandez was fouled and calmly sank two free throws to tie the game. Pepperdine’s ensuing chance to win was thwarted when Lina Falk stole the ball from Matic, but the Waves could not convert on their final shot, sending the game to an extra period tied at 73. Overtime belonged entirely to the Lions, who seized control immediately. Paula Reus Piza won the opening tip and converted a layup just 18 seconds in. On Pepperdine’s first possession, Ivana Krajina stole the ball from Shorna Preston, leading to a foul on Hernandez, who again made both free throws. That four-point burst within the first 40 seconds of overtime established a lead the Lions would not relinquish. Pepperdine, which had mounted a furious comeback from a 57-48 deficit entering the fourth quarter, went ice cold in overtime, managing only five points on 2-of-7 shooting and committing four turnovers. The Waves’ final chance evaporated when Allison Clarke blocked a Meghan Fiso layup attempt with five seconds left and the Lions leading by three. The game was a tale of contrasting halves and standout individual efforts. Pepperdine raced to an early 23-17 lead after one quarter behind an aggressive inside game that would total 48 points in the paint. Loyola Marymount responded with a 20-point second quarter, fueled by Matic’s outside shooting, to take a 37-39 halftime lead. The Lions extended their advantage in a defensively dominant third quarter, holding Pepperdine to just nine points. A Matic three-pointer gave Loyola Marymount its largest lead at 57-42 with 2:26 left in the period. The Waves, however, unleashed a 25-point fourth-quarter explosion, spearheaded by Elli Guiney and Bella Green. Green’s layup with two seconds remaining in regulation capped the comeback and forced overtime. Matic, a guard from Ub, Serbia, led all scorers with 20 points, including three crucial three-pointers, and added a key steal in overtime. Hernandez, from San Jose, California, was a force inside, scoring 21 points and going a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line in the extra period. Krajina added 10 points and four assists for the Lions. Pepperdine was led by Guiney’s 22 points, while Green came off the bench to provide a significant spark with 15 points, all in the second half and overtime. Falk finished with 10 points and five assists. Statistically, the game was remarkably even. Loyola Marymount shot 49.3% from the field to Pepperdine’s 50.8%. The Lions held a slight edge from three-point range, making 6-of-12 compared to the Waves’ 5-of-14. Turnovers were nearly identical, with Pepperdine committing 15 and Loyola Marymount 14. The Lions’ decisive advantages came on the offensive glass, where they grabbed 10 rebounds leading to second chances, and in overtime execution, where they outscored the Waves 10-5. The victory gives Loyola Marymount momentum heading into a non-conference matchup with Oregon State on Jan. 15. Pepperdine looks to rebound quickly, traveling to face San Diego on Saturday. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in Los Angeles on Feb. 12.

Preview: Loyola Marymount Lions at Pepperdine Waves MALIBU, Calif. (Interstat) — A West Coast Conference women’s basketball matchup featuring two of the league’s top scorers is set for Thursday when the Loyola Marymount Lions visit the Pepperdine Waves at Firestone Fieldhouse. The Waves (10-5) enter with the better overall record, but the Lions (8-7) have shown they can compete with high-level opponents, including a narrow 87-80 double-overtime loss at Gonzaga last month. The game will feature a compelling backcourt duel. Loyola Marymount’s Jess Lawson is on a scoring tear, averaging 21.4 points over her last five games. She is coming off a career-high 32-point performance in an 85-82 overtime loss to San Francisco on Jan. 4. Lawson has scored 21 or more points in four of her last five outings. For Pepperdine, guard Elli Guiney is a versatile catalyst. She averages 13.1 points per game and is coming off a 12-point, five-assist effort in a 60-52 win over Saint Mary’s on Jan. 2. Guiney has shown a high ceiling, scoring 26 points in a close loss at Washington State on Dec. 28. Pepperdine has been strong at home this season, with key non-conference wins over South Dakota and California Baptist in Malibu. Their defense held Saint Mary’s to just 52 points in their last outing. Loyola Marymount’s offense has been potent, scoring 92 points in a win over Santa Clara and 82 in the overtime loss to San Francisco. However, consistency has been an issue, as seen in a home loss to Weber State in December. This is the first of two regular-season meetings between the teams. They will meet again in Los Angeles on Feb. 12. The Lions will look to Lawson, Maya Hernandez (19 points vs. San Francisco) and Andjela Matic to ignite their offense. Pepperdine will counter with Guiney, Meghan Fiso (14 points vs. Saint Mary’s) and rim-protector Shorna Preston, who had three blocks in the last game. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. PST on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. Pepperdine travels to San Diego on Saturday, while Loyola Marymount hosts Oregon State on Jan. 15.