No. 22 Loyola improves to 4-1 Thursday

NEW ORLEANS – The Loyola University New Orleans women's basketball team used a dominant fourth quarter to power past Philander Smith University, 75–54, on Thursday evening inside The Den. The win moves the 22nd-ranked Wolf Pack to 4-1 on the season with a 6:30 p.m. exhibition matchup at the University of New Orleans on tap for next Wednesday. 
 

Loyola got off to a slow start offensively, shooting 4-for-12 from the field and 0-for-5 from 3-point range in the first quarter. The Wolf Pack led 8-4 thanks to field goals by Taylor Smith, Chandler Caver and Alissa O'Dell, but the Panthers went ahead 9-8 and led 15-13 after the first 10 minutes of play. 
 

The Wolf Pack flipped the momentum in the second quarter by getting to the free-throw line consistently, making 10 from the charity stripe to help push ahead late in the frame. Caitlin Travis and Tiana Smith got the scoring started for Loyola, but Philander Smith was able to hold the 23-19 lead halfway through the quarter. The turning point came when Isabella April hit a 3, and that started an 18-7 run in the final four and a half minutes. Travis, Caver and Thornton combined to go 8-for-10 from the free-throw line, and Madi Walters hit a 3-pointer in the final seconds to give the Wolf Pack a 37-31 advantage at the break. 
 

Both teams traded baskets throughout the third quarter, as Loyola maintained its lead but couldn't quite pull away. Travis and Thornton continued their strong performance, while O'Dell grabbed several key rebounds to prevent Philander from gaining momentum. Travis and Thornton scored seven and six points, respectively, in the frame, while O'Dell pulled down five of her 12 rebounds. 
 

Loyola dominated the fourth quarter by outscoring the Panthers 23-9 in the final 10 minutes. Walters ignited the run with three made 3-pointers, scoring nine of her 14 points in the final 10 minutes. Loyola's defense tightened as well, limiting Philander Smith to just 3-of-17 shooting in the period. The Wolf Pack was 7-of-11 shooting, as Kaylee Dublin also got in on the scoring action. 
 

Pack Facts

• Caitlin Travis, who has scored in double figures in every game this season, led all scorers Thursday with 18 points.

• Deniya Thornton filled up the box score as usual with 15 points. Eight rebounds, a game-high five assists, two steals, and a block. 

• Alissa O'Dell logged her second double-double of the season, and the ninth of her collegiate career, with 11 points and 12 rebounds. 

• After only taking two shots in the first four games combined, Madi Walters went off against the Panthers, scoring 14 points while making four of her seven attempts from three-point range. She also added six rebounds, an assist, and a steal.