Box Score Sophomore Taylor Thomas had a career-high 27 points in the Wolf Pack's 26-point win over crosstown rival Dillard
NEW ORLEANS – Sophomore Taylor Thomas had a career night in Loyola's season-opening win over Dillard Thursday, as the Wolf Pack started the season 1-0 with an 82-56 win over the Bleu Devils.
Thursday's tilt between crosstown rivals featured back-and-forth play in the first half, but Loyola finished 46 percent from the 3-point line to help pull away late.
Kate Petrovic earned Loyola's first four points of the season, then Thomas hit two 3-pointers and Presley Wascom added another to give Loyola a 13-8 early. The Wolf Pack made it a 16-8 game before Dillard used a 10-2 run to tie the game at 18. Dillard finished the first quarter leading Loyola 22-20.
Newcomer Sandra Cannady tied the game at 22 with a putback early in the second quarter, but the Bleu Devils converted back-to-back 3s to take a 28-24 advantage, prompting a Loyola timeout. Consecutive buckets by Cannady - assisted by Thomas and Shawna Torregano - tied the game at 33, then a 3-pointer by Wascom made it a 38-35 lead. Free throws by Thomas gave the Wolf Pack a 40-35 lead at the break, as she finished the first half with 13 points.
Petrovic had the hot-hand to start the third, quickly scoring six points to put Loyola up 43-35. Thomas picked up right where she left in the first half, too, scoring eight points in the frame to help build a 59-46 advantage, and Jazmene McMillan scored five points at the end of the quarter to make it a 64-47 game with 10 minutes to play.
Kennedy Hansberry got in on the scoring in the fourth quarter, draining a couple of 3s and converting a steal into an easy bucket. Loyola finished the game with a 15-0 run and it didn't allow a Dillard bucket in the final 7:30 minutes of the game.
Pack Facts
Taylor Thomas set a new career-high with 27 points. Her previous career-high came exactly one year ago against LSU Alexandria. Her six 3-point makes were also a career-best.
Thomas filled out the box score, also leading the Pack in assists (6) and steals (3), and she was second on the team in rebounds (8), also a career-high.
Sandra Cannady scored 10 points, and Jazmene McMillan added nine in their respective Wolf Pack debuts. Cannady also grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds.
Kate Petrovic finished the game with 13 points and four assists.
Kennedy Hansberry logged five assists, seven rebounds, and 11 points, 10 of which came in the fourth quarter.
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