Box Score Loyola University New Orleans women's basketball defeated local rival Xavier University (8-9) 68-55 tonight and moved to 13-0 on the season.
WED, 01/07/2015
(New Orleans, La.) Loyola University New Orleans women's basketball defeated local rival Xavier University (8-9) 68-55 tonight and moved to 13-0 on the season. The Wolf Pack remains one of three teams in NAIA Division I with an unblemished record this season.
Senior Janeicia Neely scored the first points for the Pack roughly a minute and a half into the game, followed by a three-pointer by fellow senior Megan Whittaker at 18:02, which put the Pack up by five to begin the first half. Xavier answered with a three-point field goal, but the Pack scored the next six points to bring the score to 11-3 with 14:29 remaining in the first. Over the next seven minutes, Loyola continued to bring the heat with help from Neely and Whittaker, and the Pack extended the lead to 16 (26-10) with six minutes to go in the half. Xavier cut the deficit to seven points (35-28) entering the second half of play. Neely finished the half with 15 points, shooting a perfect 7-of-7 from the field.
The Pack again recorded the first five points of the half with a field goal by sophomore Meghan Temple and a deep three from Whittaker. The largest lead of the night (17) came with 15:12 remaining with a jumper by Neely. A field goal from Ireyon Keith at 10:47 brought the Gold Nuggets within nine, but the Wolf Pack answered with a three-pointer from redshirt sophomore Briana Oglesby to bring Loyola's lead back to double-digits. Loyola held a double-digit lead for the remainder of the night.
Neely paced the Pack offense, tallying 21 points on 60% shooting. Whittaker notched 17 points, 15 of which came from beyond the arc (5-9). Temple led the way on defense, grabbing 11 rebounds, while Neely chipped in seven boards. Loyola shot 41% from the field and 89% from the charity stripe (16-18), and combined for 41 total rebounds on the night.
Whitney Gathright drove the Gold Nuggets on offense with 20 points on 43% shooting. She finished the night with four three-point field goals and also led the defensive effort with seven rebounds. Vinnie Briggs aided the scoring effort with 13 points and also grabbed six boards.
Loyola's persistent defensive presence forced the Gold Nuggets into a rough 26% shooting in the second half and 30% for the game.
The Wolf Pack will look to continue their winning streak on Friday, January 9 at 5:30 p.m. when they take on SSAC opponent (RV) Martin Methodist College in The Den.
