Box Score The 14th-ranked Wolf Pack is now undefeated against Top 25 teams and they're currently in sole possession of first place in the SSAC standings
NEW ORLEANS – The 14th-ranked Loyola Wolf Pack saw its second-half double-digit lead shrink against the 24th-ranked Martin Methodist Redhawks, but clutch defense and a pair of free throws gave the Wolf Pack a 68-66 win Saturday in The Den.
With the win, the Wolf Pack is now 6-1 in Southern States Athletic Conference play and 13-3 overall. They're now all alone in first place after playing the last few weeks tied with other teams atop the standings. Additionally, Loyola is 4-0 against Top 25 teams, defeating 23rd-ranked LSU-Alexandria, No. 16 Bethel, No. 15 Lindsey Wilson, and now 24th-ranked Martin Methodist this season.
Loyola used six different scorers and tight defense to get an edge in the first quarter. Kate Petrovic and Tay Cannon each had four points, and the Wolf Pack only allowed Martin Methodist to shoot 3-for-15 from the field.
Kamille Cooper, Presley Wascom, Kennedy Hansberry and Petrovic all scored in the first six minutes to push the Loyola lead to 10-2, then the two teams matched point for point to bring the Wolf Pack's 16-7 lead in the second quarter.
The Redhawks played the Wolf Pack a little closer in the second, but Loyola was able to outscore the visitors 22-19 to take a 38-26 lead into halftime. Taylor Thomas scored her first seven points of the game in the second, as well as Paige Franckiewicz's five points.
Martin Methodist didn't go away, though. It won the third quarter 21-18 to trim Loyola's lead to 56-47 entering the final 10 minutes of play.
The Redhawks continued to apply pressure in the fourth, cutting the Wolf Pack's lead to one possession halfway through the frame. Martin Methodist would go on to take its first lead since the score was 2-0 with two and a half minutes left in the contest, but Loyola would have the final say.
A minute later, Franckiewicz drilled a 3-pointer to tie the game 62-62, then when the game was tied at 64-all, Hansberry and Franckiewicz iced the game with two free throws each in the final 32 seconds.
The Wolf Pack will take a week off from game action before making the short trip to Hattiesburg to play William Carey Saturday at noon.
Pack Facts
Kamille Cooper earned a new career-high with 12 points Saturday
Kate Petrovic was big on the boards, pulling down a career-high six.
Kennedy Hansberry tied her career-high in assists with six. That was a game-high as well.
Paige Franckiewicz led Loyola with 15 points, and she's scored at least 15 points in four of the last five games.
Presley Wascom had a career-high five steals against the Redhawks, and that's the fifth game in a row with at least three steals.
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.
