LOS ANGELES, Calif. --- The Loyola Marymount Lions overcame the Portland Pilots to win 77-73 in a West Coast Conference women's basketball game played on Saturday afternoon. Cassandra Brown led the way offensively for the Pilots with 26 points.
 
But it was enough as the Lions (4-22, 2-13 WCC) used a 12-0 run mid-way through the second half before holding on down the stretch to secure the win. Sophie Taylor had 29 points and Emily Ben-Jumbo registered a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
 
After trailing by three at the half, Kari Luttinen quickly tied the score with a three-pointer coming out of the break. The Pilots (4-21, 2-12 WCC) would then push the lead to six points on a couple of occasions, including when Brown knocked down a three to make it 59-53 with 12 minutes left to play.
 
But that's when the Pilots went ice cold from the field, allowing the Lions to score 12 straight points, which was fueled by four LMU three-pointers. Now trailing by six points with about five minutes remaining, Portland responded, and when Brown drained another three with 2:55 showing on the clock, the Pilots had trimmed the deficit to 69-68.
 
The Lions recovered from there and would maintain a slight lead on the Pilots the rest of the way.
 
Brown finished nine of 18 from the field and connected on five of nine from beyond the three-point arc. Jasmine Wooton added 13 points and Luttinen chipped in with 11.
 
Portland out-shot LMU, 46 percent to 40 percent, but the Lions made four more three-pointers and went 17 of 23 at the foul line, while the Pilots were just 9-for-11.
 
The Pilots next return home for their final two games at the Chiles Center this season. First the Pacific Tigers visit for a 7 p.m. game on Thursday night. Saturday brings a 2 p.m. match-up with the Saint Mary's Gaels.