Box Score The Wolf Pack suffered a loss to the Eagles earlier this season, but avenged that loss with a 30-point win Thursday in The Den
NEW ORLEANS – The 16th-ranked Loyola Wolf Pack traveled to Montgomery, Alabama, earlier this season and fell to the Eagles by three points in a tight contest. On Thursday in The Den, however, Loyola's 88-58 win over Faulkner was never in doubt thanks to a quick start on both ends of the court.
With three games left, Loyola sits at 18-5 overall and 11-3 in Southern States Athletic Conference play. Bethel, a team Loyola matches up with next week, sits in first place with a 12-1 record.
The Wolf Pack couldn't be stopped early on in Thursday's game, scoring 26 first-quarter points off 10-of-20 shooting. Kennedy Hansberry scored nine of her 15 points in the first, and Loyola's defense held the Eagles to 35 percent shooting from the field. Three blocks by Kaila Anthony led the defensive effort.
The Wolf Pack quickly pushed from 13-7 to 21-12 in a three-minute span. Anthony and Hansberry each had 3-pointers in the first, as well as two from Taylor Thomas to help create the separation and take a 26-14 lead into the second.
Loyola kept it up offensively and defensively in the second quarter, outscoring Faulkner 20-12. Freshmen Kate Petrovic and Shawna Torregano each had five points, and a quick 7-0 run early in the frame extended the lead even more. The Wolf Pack started the second with an 11-4 run to make it 37-18, then the two teams nearly matched point for point to close out the half with Loyola leading 46-26.
Each team scored 18 points in the third quarter, as the Wolf Pack led 64-44 heading into the final frame. Torregano nailed another 3-pointer and Paige Franckiewicz scored six of her game-high 17 points in the third to keep the Wolf Pack up by 20 points with 10 minutes to play. Loyola kept the hot shooting going, too, as it went 7-of-13 from the field with three 3-pointers in the third.
Loyola scored 20 points in a quarter for the third time of the game in the fourth, putting the game away with a 24-14 fourth-quarter advantage.
Loyola is back in The Den for one final home game start Saturday. Celebrating senior day, the Wolf Pack will host Middle Georgia State at noon.
Pack Facts
Shawna Torregano scored 11 points to set a new career-high. The freshman's previous best was three points.
With six rebounds Thursday, Kaila Anthony has seven games with at least that many rebounds this season.
Paige Franckiewicz nailed five 3-pointers to score 17 points, and it was her fifth time this season with at least five made shots from deep.
Taylor Thomas dished five assists for the seventh time for her freshman season.
Loyola's bench outscored Faulkner's bench 38-8.
