Loyola stays unbeaten in SSAC play

BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. – The 19th-ranked Loyola Wolf Pack continued their undefeated play in Southern States Athletic Conference play with a 73-57 win at Blue Mountain Christian on Thursday. The Wolf Pack (13-1, 7-0 in SSAC) will now travel to UT Southern on Saturday for a 12 p.m. league matchup. 
 

Sandra Cannady and Alissa O'Dell got Loyola's scoring started with a quick 4-0 lead, but BMCU was able to still go up 9-4 halfway through the opening frame. O'Dell and Deniya Thornton both scored after that, and Taylor Thomas hit two 3-pointers to help Loyola take a 16-13 lead into the second quarter. 
 

Loyola outscored the Toppers 20-8 in the second quarter to really take control of the game. Blue Mountain Christian did cut the score to 19-17 in the opening minutes, but the Wolf Pack closed the first half on a 17-4 run to push ahead. O'Dell got that run started, then MG Lymon hit a 3-pointer to give Loyola a nine-point lead, 26-17. O'Dell scored again and Thomas capped things off with a 3 to put Loyola ahead 36-21 at the break. 
 

The Pack used another big quarter to extend their lead, and it started with free throws by Cannady and O'Dell and a field goal by Lizzy Ratcliff. Caitlin Travis scored six quick points during the middle part of the frame, 51-27, then Libby Thompson scored her first points to maintain Loyola's lead, 57-34, by the end of the quarter. 
 

The Toppers did outscore Loyola in the fourth quarter, but seven points by Cannady allowed Loyola to cruise to victory. Sydni Tangle, Morgan Hervey, Jada Farrell and Jada Washington all scored in the frame, too, to give Loyola 13 scorers in the contest. 
 

Pack Facts

• Thursday's win was Loyola's ninth double-digit victory of the season. 

• The Wolf Pack now owns a 23-3 record against the Lady Toppers, with Loyola winning the last 17 matchups dating back to 2017. 

• Sandra Cannady led the game in three categories with 20 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks. It was her third 20-point game of the season, and she's reached double figures in all 11 of her starts. 

• Alissa O'Dell was second on the team in scoring with 13 points to go along with five rebounds. She's scored at least 10 points four different times since conference play began. 

• Taylor Thomas put up 12 points on 3-of-7 three-point shooting, plus three assists and four steals. The Pack's steals leader has posted at least three steals in each of her last seven games. 

• For the third consecutive game, at least 10 members of the Wolf Pack scored a point. Thursday's game saw 13 different Loyola players in the scoring column, a season high. 
   

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