Box Score The Wolf Pack have now won 20 or more games for the fifth consecutive year
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Taking a break from their conference schedule, the No. 22 Loyola University New Orleans women's basketball team defeated Stillman College 63-44 Thursday afternoon at Birthright Alumni Hall.
The Wolf Pack (20-4) jumped on the scoreboard first with a quick three-pointer by Paige Franckiewicz. After Di'Mond Jackson hit a layup, the Tigers (15-10) responded with a three of their own. The home team took a 10-8 lead with just over four minutes left in the first quarter before Jackson tied the game back up on a layup, the final tie of the night. A second deep ball by Franckiewicz in the same spot on the floor from her first put the game at 13-10, with An'Jolique Woodson sinking two quick buckets to set the score at 17-10 heading into the second quarter.
Stillman would strike first to reopen play, cutting the Wolf Pack lead to five at 17-12. Megan Worry responded with two of her own, before sinking one from beyond the arc minutes later, followed by two more from Franckiewicz to put Loyola up 24-16. Kaila Anthony made her way into the scoring column with a three-pointer, followed by another bucket from Franckiewicz to give the Pack a 10-point lead. In the closing minute of the first half, Zoie Miller sunk her first field goal of the game on a layup, before driving down on the following possession and converting an and-one opportunity to give Loyola a 15-point, 38-23 lead at the break.
Stillman came out of the locker room striking first, hitting four quick points off of two turnovers before Jackson found Kamille Cooper down low to make it 40-27. After two-straight scores by the Tigers brought it down to a single-digit lead for the Pack, two layups by Jackson eventually set the tally at 46-31. One last score from the home team made it 46-33 heading into the final quarter.
Although Stillman would respond to a few Wolf Pack scores to start the fourth period of play, Loyola maintained their double-digit lead throughout. A three by Worry and bucket by Jackson brought it to 51-33, with Miller hitting two free throws before finding Cooper down low to later make it 57-39 with just over four minutes remaining. The Wolf Pack would end up winning the game by 19, 63-44 for their 20th victory on the season, and their fifth consecutive season under head coach Kellie Kennedy hitting that mark.
For the sixth time this season Jackson registered a double-double, scoring 11 points and grabbing a season-high 14 rebounds. This is her second straight game with a double-double, doing so against No. 21 Bethel last Saturday.
Cooper joined Jackson in the double-double club as well today, her first of her career, after scoring 10 points to go with a career-best 13 rebounds. She and Jackson were one of five members of the Pack to score in double figures today, as they were joined by Worry with 11, and Franckiewicz and Miller who each had 10.
Miller registered seven rebounds and five assists on the night, moving into ninth place in the school records books for most assists in a career with 295.
The Pack will jump back into conference play on Saturday, February 17th when they head to Montgomery, Ala. to face Faulkner at 2 p.m.
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