Box Score The No. 21 Loyola Wolf Pack advanced to their fifth SSAC tournament championship game in the last seven years after defeating Brewton-Parker in the semifinals Friday
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Loyola University New Orleans women's basketball team improved its winning streak to 14 games Friday, but more importantly, the Wolf Pack advanced to the championship game of the Southern States Athletic Conference Women's Basketball Championship.
Loyola (19-1) defeated Brewton-Parker (11-10) 89-75 in Friday's first semifinal contest, and it'll play Middle Georgia State for the tournament championship Saturday at 4 p.m. It's the fifth SSAC championship game appearance in the last seven years, too, with Loyola winning the tournament title in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019.
Loyola got off to a good start when Taylor Thomas showed nice moves to the rim, scoring consecutive baskets in the first couple of minutes of the game. Sandra Cannady altered a couple of BPC shots on defense before scoring her first points on the offensive end of the floor, then Presley Wascom hit her first 3-pointer to put the Wolf Pack up 14-7 halfway through the opening quarter.
Brewton-Parker hit three straight shots to tie the game, but Jazmene McMillan, Tera Snell and Thomas all hit free throws in the final few minutes to take a slim 20-19 lead into the second quarter.
After Wascom and Thomas started the second quarter with free throws, the two teams traded a few shots until McMillan made a 3-pointer and a free throw to give the Wolf Pack a 35-27 lead with five minutes until halftime. BPC used five free throws and a 3-pointer to score eight quick points to tie the game 35-35 less than two minutes later.
Not to be outdone, though, Loyola scored four times in less than 90 seconds to quickly push back out ahead in the final minutes of the half. McMillan scored seven of those points, finishing with 11 points in the quarter to send the Wolf Pack into the locker room up 49-39 at the break.
Loyola kept its double-digit advantage midway through the third quarter thanks to early buckets from Chelsea Gray and Cannady, as well as a 3-pointer by Thomas. Tay Cannon and Snell got on the board, too, giving the Pack a 64-50 lead, then four points from Gray extended the advantage to 69-53 with 23 seconds left in the quarter. BPC, however, scored the final six points of the third to cut the Loyola lead to 69-59 entering the final frame.
Loyola kept its foot on the gas, winning the fourth quarter 20-16 to finish off the win. Wascom started the frame with a 3, then Gray hit two shots to keep it a 12-point Loyola lead. Leading 76-64, the Wolf Pack pushed ahead 83-65 before icing the game with Thomas and McMillan free throws.
Wolf Pack Head Coach Kellie Kennedy
"It was a great team effort with two players with double-doubles and many others who played really well. We depended on our defense our rebounding today to win the game."
Pack Facts
The 14-game winning streak is the best streak since the Wolf Pack won 16 straight during the 2007-08 season.
Taylor Thomas notched her third double-double of the season with a game-high 21 points and 10 rebounds. It's the third straight game with at least seven rebounds for the sophomore, and it's the most points and rebounds since she set career-highs in both categories on Jan. 3 with 28 points and 11 rebounds.
Chelsea Gray also recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, and it's her third one of the season as well.
Jazmene McMillan's 17 points was the most for the freshman since she scored a career-high 24 points against Southeastern Baptist on Nov. 21, 2020. Her seven rebounds also ties a career-best.
Kennedy Hansberry joined Thomas, Gray and McMillan in double figures with 11 points, which is her 11th double-figure game of the season.
Tournament Schedule
Thursday, Feb. 25
Game 1 | East No. 2 Brewton-Parker 79, West No. 3 Stillman 59
Game 2 | West No. 1 Loyola 84, East No. 4 Florida College 48
Game 3 | East No. 1 Middle Georgia 55, West No. 4 Blue Mountain 46
Game 4 | East No. 3 Faulkner 70, West No. 2 Mobile 53
Friday, Feb. 26
Game 5 | Loyola 89, Brewton-Parker 75
Game 6 | Middle Georgia 67, Faulkner 63
Saturday, Feb. 27
Championship Game | 4 pm | Loyola v. Middle Georiga
Tickets | Live Stats | Live Video | Bracket
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