Box Score Zoie Miller converts sixteen field goals, setting a new program record
NEW ORLEANS - Returning back to SSAC play today, the Loyola University New Orleans women's basketball team defeated the University of Mobile 79-68 in The Den.
The visiting Rams (11-10, 4-5) were first on the board, hitting two baskets before Di'Mond Jackson got the Pack (15-4, 7-1) rolling with a bucket off of a Megan Worry assist. The Pack would tie the game with five minutes left in the first quarter, as Zoie Miller collected her first points of the afternoon to make it 7-7. Mobile would reclaim the lead however, maintaining it until moments before the horn for the end of the period, as Miller sunk a last-second layup to make it 16-15 in favor of the home team.
To start the second quarter of play, Miller converted another layup before Paige Franckiewicz hit a three on the next possession. The Rams would not quit fighting however, tying the game yet again with four minutes to play on a three pointer. Heading into the halftime break, the two teams swapped baskets before Miller hit yet another shot just before the horn, this time a three point shot to put Loyola up 40-38 at the break.
The Wolf Pack got their offense rolling in the third quarter behind Miller's 10 points, while tightening up on defense as well. Entering the third quarter with a two point lead, Loyola would exit the period up 16, holding the Rams to only seven points, tied for their third-fewest points allowed so far this season.
In the final quarter, a Miller basket put the Pack up 63-45, giving them their largest lead of the game at 18. While Loyola held on to their double-digit lead for a majority of the final period of play, Mobile slowly inched closer, bringing the game within eight points with two and a half left to play. The Wolf Pack held their ground however, claiming a 79-68 victory to move to 7-1 in the SSAC and 9-1 in The Den.
Miller ended tonight with a career-high 39 points, topping her previous mark by 12 set earlier this season. The Frisco, Texas native also claimed yet another spot in the Loyola record books, breaking the program record for field goals made in a game with 16, topping Keiva Council and Brooke Surette's mark of 15. Her 39-point performance also marked the first member of the Pack to top 30 in a game since Franckiewicz collected 32 against Selma University on November 5th, 2016.
Worry led the team in rebounds tonight, tying her season-high with 12, while Jackson added 10 points and nine rebounds. Franckiewicz also hit the double-digit mark, adding 13 points of her own and connecting on three from beyond the arc.
For Mobile, Ryann Sylvester led the way with 23 points, while Kendra Langham registered a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
The women will take to the road for their next game, traveling to Mount Vernon, Ga. to face Brewton-Parker next Thursday, February 1st at 5:30 p.m.
Be sure to follow Wolf Pack Athletics on Facebook at Facebook.com/LoyolaWolfPack, Twitter and Instagram @LoyolaWolfPack, and check out our website by visiting LoyolaWolfPack.com.
