Box Score Loyola University New Orleans women's basketball defeated Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) opponent Belhaven University 78-70 tonight in Jackson, Mississippi for their 20th win of the season.
THU, 02/05/2015
(Jackson, Miss.) Loyola University New Orleans women's basketball defeated Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) opponent Belhaven University 78-70 tonight in Jackson, Mississippi for their 20th win of the season. This is now the eighth team in program history to reach 20 or more wins in a season.
After scoring the first points of the game, the Wolf Pack (20-1, 11-1 SSAC) struggled on offense to begin the first half. Loyola would not score another field goal over the next two and a half minutes, falling behind the Blazers 7-2 with 17:49 to play. Sophomore Meghan Temple knocked down a jumper off an assist by senior Janeicia Neely to bring the Pack within three, but Belhaven began to extend the lead, going up by as much as 13 (22-9) with 12:18 remaining in the first. A three-pointer by Neely at 9:26 changed the Pack's rhythm, as Loyola would go on an 8-0 run for the next minute and a half, bringing the Wolf Pack within three (19-22). Loyola would tie the game at 27 with 3:26 to go in the first, but the Blazers secured a 37-24 advantage entering the second half.
The Wolf Pack and the Blazers (13-10, 6-6 SSAC) would exchange leads to begin the second half with Loyola taking a 40-39 lead with 18:01 remaining in the game. Neither team would score a field goal for the next two minutes, but senior Megan Whittaker would score her first points of the night from beyond the arc off an assist by Neely to bring the score to 44-39 at 16:11. Whittaker would score the next five points for the Wolf Pack, helping the Pack to a 7-0 run (51-39) over the next few minutes of play. Another three-pointer by Whittaker would bring the Pack in front of the Blazers by 14 (56-42) at 12:14, and Loyola would remain ahead by double-digits for the two minutes. Belhaven would attempt a comeback cutting Loyola's lead to four (71-67) off a three-pointer by Ariel Wilson, but a jumper by Neely with 16 seconds to go would seal the 78-70 victory for the Wolf Pack.
Four members of the Pack notched double-digit point totals. Neely led the scoring effort for Loyola with 19 points, while sophomore Meghan Temple garnered her sixth double-double of the season with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Whittaker finished the night with 11 points, while redshirt sophomore Briana Oglesby compiled 10 points in the win. Neely dished out six assists, while Whittaker and senior Rebekah Greer grabbed three steals apiece.
Wilson paced the Blazers on offense with a game-high 28 points, while Candler Gregory chipped in 13 on the night. Wilson also drove the defensive effort with nine rebounds, while Narshanda Malone dished out a game-high seven assists.
Loyola will return to action on Thursday, February 12 as they take on SSAC foe Blue Mountain College for the second time this season at 5:30 p.m. in The Den.
