Box Score Wolf Pack nearly complete comeback behind Zoie Miller's 14 third quarter points
PULASKI, Tenn. - Despite battling back from a halftime deficit, the Loyola University New Orleans women's basketball team fell in a tight contest with No. 23 Martin Methodist College 70-73 Thursday night at the Curry Christian Life Center.
To open the game, the Pack (12-4, 5-1) responded quickly to the RedHawks' (14-4, 5-0) opening score, as Di'Mond Jackson found Zoie Miller in the corner for three. After scoring eight points in the first four minutes of play, Martin Methodist's defense tightened up on Loyola, holding them to four for the remainder of the quarter.
Trailing after the first period 12-20, the Wolf Pack attempted to chip away at the deficit but were unable to catch the Hawks, and head into the halftime break down 30-36.
Coming out of the locker room, the Wolf Pack rode Miller's hot hand to take back the lead behind a huge run. A Miller steal led to a Paige Franckiewicz three to pull the Pack within one, before another Miller steal and fast break conversion gave them a 39-38 lead.
After a free throw by Jackson, Miller collected yet another steal and score followed by a great drive to the hoop on the following possession to cap off a 16-2 run. Loyola would end the third quarter up 57-46.
In the final period of play, the home team clawed back to bring the score within two. Miller responded to the RedHawk bucket with a strong drive to the rim, moving the score to 70-66 with two minutes remaining.
However, after converting one of two free throws, Martin Methodist hit a three in the corner with just over one minute remaining to tie the game at 70 apiece.
The home team would go on to take a lead off of a bucket with 40 second left, followed by a Loyola turnover and ensuing free throw. At the final buzzer the scoreboard sat at 70-73 in favor of the home team, giving the Wolf Pack their first SSAC loss on the season.
After collecting a triple-double in last week's game against Brewton-Parker, Jackson nearly had another, ending tonight with 17 points, eight rebounds and nine assists. Her nine assists tonight move her past Lindsay Faulk for ninth in school history with 278 for her career.
Miller led the Wolf Pack in scoring tonight with 19, while grabbing a season-best seven rebounds. Freshman Kamille Cooper and sophomore Kaila Anthony each contributed 10 points as well.
Martin Methodist was led by Brooklyn Blanchard who scored 22, with senior Jemia Carpenter collecting a double-double on 17 points and 13 rebounds.
Loyola will look to get back on track on Saturday as they'll stay in Tennessee for another tough matchup, facing No. 19 Bethel January 13th at 2 p.m.
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