Box Score Loyola dominated Faulkner in the second half of Sunday's matinee, improving its record to 4-0 on the season
NEW ORLEANS – The Loyola University New Orleans women's basketball team improved to 4-0 on the season with an 85-77 win over Faulkner Sunday.
It had been six weeks since the Wolf Pack played a game, and they needed the first 20 minutes of Sunday's matinee to shake off some rust. Loyola shot just 33 percent from the field in the first half, trailing 38-33 to the Lady Eagles at halftime. Fueled by 19 second-half points from Taylor Thomas, Loyola shot 58 percent from the floor in the final 20 minutes.
The win over Southern States Athletic Conference foe, Faulkner, does not count in the SSAC standings. Loyola opens SSAC play this Friday and Saturday with back-to-back games against Blue Mountain College in The Den.
While Loyola was struggling to find points, the Lady Eagles hit six of their 13 first-half 3-point shots to grab the early lead. Faulkner hit two 3-pointers to start the contest, then finished the opening frame with two more to lead 21-14.
Loyola went nearly four minutes in the second quarter without a field goal, but free throws by Sandra Cannady during that scoring drought kept Loyola in the game. Faulkner held the 32-26 advantage when the Pack finally got another field goal with 3:36 left in the half. Kennedy Hansberry scored with 2 seconds left to cut the deficit to 38-33 at the break.
The Wolf Pack came out the second half on fire, starting the third quarter on a 16-3 run that took up nearly half the quarter. A steal by Cannady led to a fastbreak assist to Kate Petrovic that highlighted the run, as five different Loyola players scored during that stretch. Already with five points in the third, Thomas closed the frame with the final seven points for either team to take a 63-51 lead into the final 10 minutes of the game.
Loyola led by as many as 18 points late in the fourth quarter, 80-62, but Faulkner scored the final 12 of 15 points to bring the game to its final, 85-77. Cannady scored six of her 14 points in the fourth quarter to keep the momentum in Loyola's favor.
Loyola is back in The Den Wednesday for a 5:30 p.m. game with North American University.
Wolf Pack Head Coach Kellie Kennedy
"First game back after a really long break we obviously have to get the cobwebs out and sometimes that's what this game is for. Not taking any credit away from Faulkner, they're a very good team, they shot the ball really well and they fought to the end. Taylor Thomas had a great game. She's such a competitor. A double-double from her, a double-double from Sandra (Cannady), and Kennedy (Hansberry) had seven assists. I think we did some nice things despite the way we ended it in the last two minutes. We gave up a lot of points in the end when we shouldn't have. Again, we're getting our feet under us and trying to figure out this New Year. I think we'll be ready as a result."
Pack Facts
Taylor Thomas set career bests in both points (28) and rebounds (11), notching her second-career double-double (both this season) while also contributing four assists and two steals.
Sandra Cannady also logged her second double-double of the season, putting up 14 points and 10 boards to go along with two blocks and a steal.
Kennedy Hansberry had seven points in addition to her seven dimes. She's opened the season with four-straight games of at least five assists.
After shooting just 13-40 (32.5%) in the first half, Loyola turned things around in the second, converting 22 of its 38 baskets for a 57.9 second-half field-goal percentage.
The top team in the NAIA in total rebound margin, the Wolf Pack outrebounded Faulkner 48-33, with 16 on the offensive glass.
Four of Jazmene McMillan's career-high six rebounds were offensive. Chelsea Gray also grabbed four offensive boards and has collected at least four in each of the last three games.
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