Box Score After averaging 14 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, F Caroline Gonzalez (JR/Colleyville, Texas) was named tournament MVP.
With a second-straight SSAC Tournament title in their sights, the No. 2-seed Loyola University New Orleans Women's Basketball team faced off against No. 4-seed Martin Methodist College in the SSAC Women's Basketball Championship finals.
Powered by a career-high 23 points from F Caroline Gonzalez, the No. 25 Wolf Pack defeated the Redhawks 69-59 to claim their second-ever SSAC Tournament title.
"I have been really impressed with our team throughout this whole tournament," said Loyola University New Orleans Head Coach Kellie Kennedy. "We have had people step up and play tremendously when we needed them the most and that was evident this evening."
Gonzalez led all scorers with a career-high 23 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the floor. G Kylah Jones (JR/Houston, Texas) poured in 14 points on Saturday, while F Meghan Temple (JR/Houston, Texas) grabbed a game-high nine boards in the victory.
"Throughout the tournament we have had a different x-factor step up and today it was my turn," said Gonzalez. "Entering this game we knew it was going to be tough but we came in to it knowing that if we did the little things out there that we would get the victory."
After averaging 14 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, Gonzalez was named tournament MVP.
"Caroline came out very intentional, knowing what she wanted and where she wanted to be when this was all said and done," commented Kennedy. "She was focused and came out determined on both ends of the court … I am so proud of Caroline and her effort in this tournament."
Martin Methodist featured three scorers in double figures, led by Abby Clayton's 14 points on 5-of-10 shooting.
The Wolf Pack shot 22-of-61 (36%) from the floor and 11-of-25 (44%) from beyond the arc, led by Gonzalez's six triples.
Loyola's bench continued to shine on Saturday, outscoring the Redhawks 36-17.
The game started with both teams exchanging the lead early. With the Wolf Pack holding on to the slim 20-18 advantage, a three pointer by the Redhawks' Clayton as time expired gave Martin Methodist the 21-20 lead after one quarter of action.
The second quarter proved similar to the first, with neither team being able to build a lead larger than three points. Down two with just four seconds remaining, Martin Methodist hit yet another buzzer beater as time expired to knot the game, 35-35, heading in to the locker rooms.
After trailing for the first six minutes of the third quarter, the Redhawks drained a triple to retake the lead at 43-42 with 4:03 to play in the third. Down 46-44, the Wolf Pack ended the third quarter on a 5-0 run to grab the 49-46 cushion entering the final ten minutes.
Martin Methodist hit a three to start the fourth quarter and knot the game at 49-49. Loyola responded with an 11-2 run to open up the 60-51 advantage with 4:03 remaining. The Wolf Pack held the Redhawks to just seven points in the final minutes to earn the 67-58 victory inside the Cramton Sports Multiplex.
In three victories, Loyola led the tournament with 41.7 rebounds per game, while ranking second in scoring offense (70 points/game) and field goal percentage offense (.403).
Next up for Loyola is the NAIA DI Women's Basketball Championship in Independence, Mo. The Wolf Pack will find out their opponent on March 9 when the 32-team field will be announced. Loyola fell in the first round of last year's NAIA Championship, dropping a 73-54 decision to the University of Great Falls.
