Women’s basketball dominates No. 22 LSU Shreveport Saturday

NEW ORLEANS – The Loyola University New Orleans women's basketball team handed No. 22 LSU Shreveport its first loss of the season on Saturday, dominating the Pilots, 71-51, in The Den. The Wolf Pack is now 3-1 overall with two wins over teams either ranked in the Top 25 or just outside in the receiving votes category. 
 

Loyola will play another home game on Thursday against Philander Smith. Tip-off is scheduled for 12 p.m. for Loyola women's basketball's annual School Day Game. 
 

Loyola's defense clamped down on LSU Shreveport to start the game, holding the Pilots to 0-of-8 shooting while forcing four turnovers. LSUS couldn't find many opportunities in the paint, as seven of its first eight shots came from beyond the 3-point line. Loyola got six quick points from Deniya Thornton to help take a 9-0 lead before the visitors could get on the board halfway through the opening quarter. Alissa O'Dell and Tiarra McPipe both got on the board, and Thornton turned a steal into a score to put the Pack up 16-4 after the first 10 minutes. 
 

LSU Shreveport scored the first six points of the second quarter, but Thornton ended that run with a score to get into double figures, 18-10. Chandler Caver got a bucket on Loyola's next possession, however, the Pilots got the deficit down to five, 22-17, near the five-minute mark. The Wolf Pack defense locked down over the next three and a half minutes, forcing four more turnovers while LSUS was 0-for-3 from the field. Loyola couldn't extend its lead by much, though, making it a 30-20 lead by halftime. 
 

Loyola's defense was at it again to start the second half. They forced four more turnovers and only allowed the Pilots to make 1-of-9 shots through the first seven minutes of gameplay. Loyola got four points from Caitlin Travis and three points each from Thornton and Carroll to help extend the lead to 44-26. The Wolf Pack would end the third quarter with a 49-31 lead.  
 

The fourth quarter was a high-scoring quarter for both teams, as Loyola outscored LSUS 22-20 to easily keep its distance. Carroll led the Wolf Pack with eight points in the frame.
 

Pack Facts

• Deniya Thornton led the game in scoring with 19 points on 8-of-19 from the field, and she got it done on the defensive end with two steals and two blocks. 

• Her two blocks give her 55 for her career, which ranks ninth on Loyola's career blocks list. 

• Chandler Caver had her first double-digit assist game with the Wolf Pack, finishing with nine points and 10 assists with a pair of steals. 

• SeQuoia Carroll put up a new season high of 12 points and eight rebounds in just 18 minutes. 

• Caitlin Travis, who has scored in double figures in every game this season, posted 14 points with seven rebounds and two assists on Saturday.

• Alissa O'Dell led the game in rebounding with 11 boards to go along with nine points. 

• Tiara McPipe was strong off the bench, putting up seven points with a season-high nine rebounds. 

• Loyola's rebounding has been solid in the last three games, as they've out-rebounded each of their last three opponents by double digits. As a team, the Pack grabbed 59 rebounds on Saturday, compared to just 41 boards for the Pilots.