Loyola Falls In Season Opener to LSU-Alexandria 77-75

Despite a career-high scoring performance from Kaila Anthony, Pack fall just short by two points

NEW ORLEANS – Facing in-state rival LSU-Alexandria in their season opener, the 17th-ranked Loyola University New Orleans women's basketball team dropped a tight 77-75 game Sunday afternoon in The Den.

The Wolf Pack (0-1) opened up today's game down five but quickly responded with a three and bucket of their own to tie it at 5-5. LSU-Alexandria (2-0) would retake the lead however, holding a six-point advantage at the end of the first quarter.

Midway through the second quarter Loyola tied the game at 24-24 on a free throw, but as the half neared, the visitors reclaimed their lead, with the Pack trailing 34-28 at the break.

In the third quarter, the Wolf Pack chipped away at the LSU-Alexandria lead with threes by Paige Franckiewicz and Megan Worry to make it a 42-44 deficit. Another deep ball from Franckiewicz with four minutes remaining in the third would give Loyola their first lead of the game at 45-44. The score would move to a draw as the quarter ended however, sitting at 56-all to start the fourth.

The visitors opened with a run to begin the final period of play, pushing it to as large as 12 points with six minutes left on the clock. As the final minutes of the game neared, the Pack would inch their way back to make it close, coming within three with 52 seconds left on the clock. The visiting Generals held on to win however, as the Wolf Pack would fall 77-75 in their 2018-19 opener.

The Wolf Pack will remain in New Orleans this week, traveling across the street for the Battle of Freret on Tuesday, October 30th at 7 p.m. in the Devlin Fieldhouse.