Loyola loses heartbreaker to Xavier, 79-78

Kaila Anthony led all scorers with a season-high 26 points.

NEW ORLEANS – It came right down to the wire on Saturday afternoon in Loyola's heartbreaking loss to Xavier. The Loyola Wolf Pack women's basketball team returned to the court after a short hiatus and lost to Xavier 79-78 on a buzzer-beater 3-pointer. 

Loyola falls to 7-2 overall while Xavier improves to 9-4 on the season. 

It was a battle for most of the first half between the Wolf Pack and Gold Nuggets with the largest lead being in Loyola's favor by six points. The first quarter ended with the Wolf Pack holding a slight edge, 22-20. Kaila Anthony scored seven points in the first. 

Anthony struck first in the second quarter with two points. As the Wolf Pack would build a lead, the Gold Nuggets would stay within striking distance. Loyola went into the break with a five-point lead, 42-37 behind Anthony's 13 first-half points. 

The Wolf Pack opened the second half on a 9-0 run that started with a field goal from Breyah Richardson. Paige Franckiewicz followed with a 3-pointer to swing the momentum in Loyola's direction. Xavier's Da'Jha Virgil put on a clinic in the third quarter scoring nine of the Gold Nuggets' 11 points. Virgil finished with 20 points. 

Loyola widened its lead heading into the fourth quarter, up 55-48, until Xavier overcame the seven-point deficit to tie the game at 69-69 with 3:19 remaining in the game. With 30 seconds remaining, Presley Wascom put the Wolf Pack up by two, 76-74, with a clutch 3. 

The game would come down to the final two possessions. Tay Cannon made a bucket that would give Loyola a two-point lead with under one second remaining. Xavier's Anica Gacevic drained a 3-pointer as time expired to lift Xavier over Loyola for the win. 

The Wolf Pack will host Lindsey Wilson College on Tuesday, December 17 in The Den with tip-off set for noon.

Pack Facts

• Kaila Anthony's 26 points were a season-high. She led all scorers. 

• Three players had at least seven rebounds: Anthony, Kamille Cooper and Breyah Richardson. 

• Three players finished with at least four assists. The three were Anthony, Kennedy Hansberry and Taylor Thomas. 

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.