Dec. 28, 2003

Box Score

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LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Northwestern had its three-game winning streak snapped on Sunday by host Loyola Marymount in the LMU Marina del rey Marriott Beach Tournament. With the 63-45 loss, the Wildcats will play Hampton in the consolation game Monday afternoon. LMU will play No. 4 Duke in the championship.

While the Wildcats (6-4) held a four-point lead in the opening minutes of the game, the Lions charged back in the form of three pointers, hitting seven of nine in the first half alone. Bianca Zieman accounted for four of those baskets and totaled 16 points in the game.

After relinquishing the lead, the closest the 'Cats got was within four. They were down 34-23 at the half after an 11-0 LMU run. Three NU turnovers aided the Lions' spurt. In the second half, the Lions led by double digits throughout.

Junior Melissa Culver led the Wildcats in scoring for the first time this season with her 15 points, including a team-high three three-pointers. Ifeoma Okonkwo had 11 points, extending her streak of games with double-digit points to six. Michelle Zylstra added a team-high seven boards.

Northwestern will face Hampton University (1-7) at 5 p.m. PST Monday. The Lady Pirates fell to Duke 90-59 in the tournament's opening game.

This weekend concludes the nonconference portion of NU's 2003-04 schedule. Big Ten play opens up at Welsh-Ryan Arena when Michigan visits on Jan. 4.