Box Score The Wolf Pack used a big first-half run to separate themselves from the Lady Toppers
NEW ORLEANS – The Loyola Wolf Pack overcame a fast start by Blue Mountain Saturday in a Southern States Athletic Conference matchup. Loyola defeated the Lady Toppers 95-63 to improve its overall record to 5-0 and its SSAC record to 2-0.
Thanks to some hot shooting by Blue Mountain, the Lady Toppers jumped out to a quick 19-7 lead over the Wolf Pack. Blue Mountain made its first five 3-pointers, missing its first one in the final minute of the first quarter.
Loyola battled back to cut the Lady Toppers' lead to 19-17 after the first 10 minutes. A Kennedy Hansberry 3-point in the first minute of the second quarter gave Loyola its first lead of the game, then the Wolf Pack finished the second half on a 36-12 run to take a 43-31 lead into halftime.
Presley Wascom's 3-point shooting helped Loyola get back into the game, as she hit three of her four attempts in the first half.
Loyola continued to build on its lead in the second half, as it shot 60 percent (21-of-35) in the final 20 minutes. The Wolf Pack outscored Blue Mountain 29-15 in the third quarter and 23-17 in the fourth quarter to cruise to the win.
Loyola is back on the court Tuesday at Louisiana Tech for a 6:30 p.m. contest.
Pack Facts
The Wolf Pack's 5-0 start to the season marks the best start since the 2014-15 season, which was a 14-0 start. Loyola finished that season 27-3 overall.
Kennedy Hansberry recorded a career-high 19 points against Blue Mountain.
Kaila Anthony tallied 18 points for the Wolf Pack, and it's the third straight game with at least that many points. Her season-high is 20 points.
Tay Cannon had a solid outing, adding 11 points, six rebounds and three assists in the win over the Lady Toppers.
Freshman Taylor Thomas continues to have a great start to her Loyola career, scoring nine points with her seven assists.
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.
