Box Score Wolf Pack drops to 12-3 overall and 4-1 in the SSAC following the loss.
Looking to extend its winning streak to nine games, the No. 20 Loyola University New Orleans women's basketball team headed to the Tine Davis Gym on Saturday afternoon to square off against Faulkner University in a key Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) contest.
Despite featuring four players in double-figures, the Wolf Pack was unable to combat the Eagles' 12 triples on Saturday and fell 78-82 in Montgomery. With the loss, Loyola drops to 12-3 overall and 4-1 in SSAC games. Conversely, Faulkner jumps to 12-4 on the year and 4-2 in league play following the victory.
The home team jumped out to an early 9-2 advantage to start the game and managed to push the lead to as much as 12 points in the opening quarter. Down 12-25 with 1:34 to play, the Wolf Pack used baskets by Kylah Jones and Paige Frankiewicz to close out the quarter on a 5-1 run to bring the score to 17-26 in favor of the Eagles.
Faulkner stretched the lead to 14 points in the second before a 6-0 run by the visitors cut the deficit to 36-44 with 1:55 to play before the half. A jumper by the Eagles' Faith Legate capped the scoring off in the first half to give Faulkner the 46-36 cushion entering the locker rooms.
Loyola slowing began to chip into the deficit in the third and another long triple by Franckiewicz ended the quarter with the Wolf Pack down just six points at 53-59.
Megan Worry (SO/Houston, Texas) started the fourth off with a three-pointer and that was followed closely by a layup from Meghan Temple (SR/Houston, Texas) to bring the Wolf Pack within one, 58-59, at the 8:53 mark. Jones sank the second of two free throws to tie the game before collecting a steal and converting on the other end to give the Wolf Pack its first lead of the game at 61-59 with 7:40 to go. Loyola followed up Jones' stellar play with a 6-0 spurt to grab the 67-59 advantage with just over five minutes remaining. The next four minutes saw the home team string together a 15-0 run to retake control at 76-67 with 1:49 to go. The visitors responded with seven unanswered points to bring the Wolf Pack within a single bucket, 74-76, with just over a minute to play. The Eagles used four free throws and a triple by Legate down the stretch to close out the game and give the home team the 82-78 upset victory.
The Wolf Pack shot 27-of-76 (35%) from the floor and 9-of-31 (29%) from beyond the arc against Faulkner. Loyola held the slim 46-44 rebounding advantage on Saturday and won the assists battle 15-11.
Di'Mond Jackson (JR/Baton Rouge, La.)'s 16 points led four Loyola players in double-figures. Franckiewicz notched 15 points on five three-pointers while Temple and Kaila Anthony (FR/Pflugerville, Texas) collected 11 and 10 points, respectively. Jackie Anderson (SR/San Antonio, Texas) led all players with a career-high 12 rebounds while Worry chipped in nine points and five boards off the bench.
Faulkner's China Leary and Legate led all players with 19 points each in the win.
Loyola will look to right the ship on Thursday, Jan. 12, on the road against the University of Mobile. Tip-off from Mobile is set for 5:30 p.m.
