Box Score Di'Mond Jackson's double-double helps lead Loyola over the Lady Wildcats 57-55
NEW ORLEANS - In a close game that saw eight ties and nine lead changes, the Loyola University New Orleans women's basketball team came out on top of a 57-55 matchup with No. 21 Bethel Saturday afternoon in The Den.
The visiting Lady Wildcats (17-8, 9-3) jumped on the board first, taking an early 7-3 lead on the Wolf Pack (19-4, 11-1). Loyola would cut their deficit to two by the end of the quarter, with Di'Mond Jackson hitting a three and Kamille Cooper hitting two free throws to make it 16-14 heading into the second quarter.
Less than a minute into play, Jackson converted two free throws to give the Pack their first lead of the game 18-16, before hitting two more from the charity stripe on the next possession. Two three pointers by Zoie Miller gave Loyola 32 for the half while a last-second basket by Bethel put them at 26.
The Wolf Pack ran out to a 10 point lead, their largest of the game, on a free throw by Miller at the five-minute mark in the third quarter. The Lady Wildcats responded however, hitting a three on the next possession, before Briana Fields added two more for the visitors. Bethel connected on yet another three moments later, and capped it off with another basket to tie the game at 41 with just under three minutes remaining in the quarter. The Lady Wildcats took the lead heading into the fourth period of play, up 46-44 on Loyola.
The two teams traded baskets in the final quarter, with Miller drawing the game even at 46 on two free throws. Bethel reclaimed the lead shortly after, as Morgan Martin scored before Jasmine Whittemore put the visitors up three. With four and a half minutes remaining, Jackson pulled the Pack within one while Breyah Richardson gave the Pack the lead.
At three minutes left to play, Miller hit one of two from the free throw line before Fields missed both for Bethel, setting the score at 52-52. On the ensuing Loyola possession, Miller was sent to the line yet again, this time hitting both shots giving the Pack a two point advantage. The Lady Wildcats were not going away quietly however, as Whittemore reclaimed the lead with a three pointer off the glass with one and a half minutes to play.
On the following possession, Miller pulled up from the left wing for three, sinking a huge deep ball for the Wolf Pack to give them the lead 57-55. Two missed threes by the Lady Wildcats in their final two possessions allowed Loyola to hold on for the victory, claiming their seventh-straight win and second in a row over a ranked opponent.
Jackson led the Wolf Pack in scoring tonight, tallying 22 points and registering her fifth double-double on the season, grabbing 11 rebounds. Miller added 15 points of her own tonight, hitting three from beyond the arc.
The visiting Lady Wildcats were led in scoring by Martin, who registered 15 points, while Laurhen Pickett grabbed a team-leading 12 rebounds.
The Wolf Pack will take a break from their conference schedule, traveling to Tuscaloosa, Ala. for their next game to face Stillman College February 15th at 5:30 p.m.
You can keep up with the Pack by following Wolf Pack Athletics on Facebook at Facebook.com/LoyolaWolfPack, Twitter and Instagram @LoyolaWolfPack, and by checking out our website at LoyolaWolfPack.com.
