If you’ve walked past Gersten Pavilion lately, you’ve probably heard it. That specific, high-decibel squeak of sneakers and the rhythm of a team that finally seems to be finding its collective heartbeat. Honestly, for a while there, being a fan of Loyola Marymount women’s basketball felt a bit like waiting for a coastal fog to lift. You knew the talent was there, tucked away under the layers, but the results were... well, inconsistent.
But things are shifting. Fast.
The 2025-26 season has turned into a bit of a statement year for the Lions. This isn't just about winning a few games; it’s about a cultural overhaul led by Head Coach Aarika Hughes. She’s now in her fifth season, and the "blueprint" people kept talking about back in 2021 is finally translating into 40-minute performances. As of mid-January 2026, the Lions are sitting at a 9-7 overall record, but that doesn't tell the whole story.
The real story? It’s the defensive grit. It’s the 55-51 upset over Oregon State on January 15, 2026. That win wasn't pretty, but it was significant—it handed the Beavers their first West Coast Conference (WCC) loss of the season.
The Aarika Hughes Era and the 2026 Turnaround
Coach Hughes came from USC with a reputation for high-level recruiting and an even higher basketball IQ. Transitioning from an associate head coach in the Pac-12 to the helm of a WCC program is a massive leap. It took some time. The 2024-25 season ended with a 14-16 record, which was actually the best finish of her tenure at that point.
Progress isn't a straight line. Sometimes it’s a jagged, frustrating zig-zag.
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The current roster has a blend of "been-there-done-that" veterans and newcomers who don't seem to know they're supposed to be intimidated by the Goliaths of the conference.
Key Names You Need to Know
- Jess Lawson: She’s been an absolute force on the glass. In that Oregon State game, she dropped 14 points and hauled in 16 rebounds. That’s a "grown-woman" stat line. She’s currently averaging 15.3 points per game.
- Maya Hernandez: Leading the team with a 48.8% field goal percentage, she’s the interior anchor. She and Lawson together create a frontcourt that is genuinely painful to play against.
- Andjela Matic: If you need a three, you look for Matic. She’s shooting nearly 40% from behind the arc (31-of-79).
- Carly Heidger: A Samford transfer who has brought a steady scoring presence, averaging about 7.2 points while playing nearly 30 minutes a night.
Why the WCC is Harder Than You Think
People sort of sleep on the West Coast Conference. Big mistake. You have perennial powerhouses like Gonzaga and Portland that don't just "play" basketball—they dismantle you.
For Loyola Marymount women’s basketball to compete, they’ve had to stop trying to out-finesse teams. They’ve started out-working them. The Lions are currently forcing nearly 18 turnovers per game from their opponents. They’re scrappy. They’re loud. They’re kind of annoying to play against, which is exactly what Coach Hughes wants.
Earlier this season, they took Gonzaga to double overtime in Spokane. They lost 87-80, but that game changed the vibe. When you realize you can stand toe-to-toe with the Zags in the Kennel, you stop playing like an underdog and start playing like a contender.
Breaking Down the Numbers (The Good and the Ugly)
Let's look at the raw data because the numbers don't lie, even if they're sometimes a little harsh.
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The Lions are averaging 69.9 points per game. That’s a decent jump from previous years where they struggled to crack the 60s. However, the three-point shooting as a team is still a work in progress at 28.3%. If they want to make a deep run in the WCC Tournament in March, that number has to tick up. You can't live in the paint forever.
On the flip side, their free-throw shooting is solid at 71.3%. In close games—and LMU has had a lot of them—those points at the stripe are the difference between a "good effort" and a "W."
"Aarika is going to make a tremendous impact on the lives of our student-athletes... her blueprint for our program is inspiring."
— Craig Pintens, LMU Athletic Director (at the time of her hire).
That impact is finally showing up on the scoreboard.
The Legacy of the Lions
It’s easy to forget that LMU has a history of excellence, even if it feels like it was a lifetime ago. The peak was 2004. That year, the Lions went 24-6, won the WCC title, and made their only NCAA Tournament appearance. They lost to Baylor in the first round, but that team set the standard.
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Since then? It’s been a lot of rebuilding.
The program has had some legendary names pass through, though often the men’s side (think Hank Gathers and Bo Kimble) gets the spotlight. But the women’s program is carving out its own identity in the 2020s. They aren't trying to be the 1990 "run-and-gun" Lions; they’re trying to be the 2026 "lock-you-down" Lions.
What's Next for the Season?
The schedule doesn't get any easier. They have a looming road trip to the University of the Pacific and then home games against Portland and Seattle U.
If you want to support the team, you've got to show up at Gersten. The attendance numbers are still a bit low—averaging about 186 fans per home game. For a team that just beat a ranked-caliber Oregon State squad, they deserve a louder crowd.
Actionable Steps for Fans
- Check the Stream: Most WCC games are on ESPN+. If you can’t make it to Westchester, that’s your best bet.
- Watch the Rotations: Keep an eye on Zawadi Ogot. She’s a spark plug off the bench shooting 53% from the floor. When she’s in, the energy changes.
- March is the Goal: Keep an eye on the WCC standings. The Lions are currently 3-2 in conference play. If they can stay in the top four, they get a much-needed bye in the tournament.
The 2026 version of Loyola Marymount women’s basketball isn't perfect. They still turn the ball over more than they should (13.9 per game), and their shooting can go cold for six-minute stretches. But for the first time in a long time, they have an identity. They're a defensive nightmare that is finally learning how to win the close ones.
Keep an eye on the standings. This might be the year the Lions finally break back into the postseason conversation.
Next Steps for Following the Lions:
To stay updated, check the official LMU Athletics site for the most recent box scores or tune into the next home game at Gersten Pavilion. Following the WCC Hoops accounts on social media is also the fastest way to see highlight reels of Jess Lawson and the rest of the squad in real-time.