LOS ANGELES, Calif. --- After a tightly played first half, the Loyola Marymount Lions used a 10-0 to begin the third quarter before claiming a 76-55 win over the Portland Pilots on Saturday afternoon at Gersten Pavilion. Darian Slaga led Portland with 15 points.
 
The Lions (15-8, 7-5 WCC) also began the game with a run as they jumped ahead early in the first quarter. The Pilots (5-18, 1-11 WCC) answered with a run of their own, which was fueled by three-pointers from Maddie Muhlheim and Slaga. A lay-up from Rachelle Owens capped the 12-2 outburst, and it pulled the Pilots within 13-12.
 
From there LMU created some separation that had the Lions leading by 12 two minutes into the second quarter. The Pilots again had a response, cutting the deficit down to four points. Kate Andersen had a nice pass to find Slaga for a lay-up, and Lisa Kaempf converted from down low to pull Portland within 32-28. Moments later the Lions had re-claimed a double digit lead as they took a 42-31 advantage into the halftime locker room.
 
That lead would swell to 23 points after the break as the Lions would go on to complete the season sweep of the Pilots.
 
Slaga finished with three three-pointers on the day to lead the Pilots in scoring for the ninth time this season. Muhlheim added eight points, and Julie Spencer collected a team-high nine rebounds to help Portland win the battle of the glass 42-40. The Pilots have out-rebounded 16 of their opponents this year.
 
Raychel Stanley and Mackenzie Cast both scored 16 points to lead the Lions, who shot 40 percent from the floor and hit seven three's.
 
The Pilots were held to 33 percent shooting, while also connected for seven three-pointers.
 
Portland now returns home to host San Francisco on Thursday night at the Chiles Center, with tip-off set for 7 p.m.