Thornton named SSAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year

NEW ORLEANS – Loyola Wolf Pack women's basketball junior has earned a title no other student-athlete in the program has ever claimed. On Thursday, Thornton was named the SSAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year, honoring her achievements in the classroom and on the court. 
 

Thornton led the Wolf Pack in minutes per game (31.4), 3-pointers made (38), steals (72), and blocked shots (25), and she was second on the team in scoring (15.8 points per game) and rebounding (6.3). Her 72 steals this season also ranked No. 7 in Loyola women's basketball's record book for a single season, and that helped her earn the SSAC Defensive Player of the Year award. She was also on the SSAC All-Conference First Team and was a four-time SSAC Player of the Week recipient, including one NAIA National Defensive Player of the Week award, this season. 
 

Thornton was the only Louisiana college player, female or male, to produce 450 points, 100 made free throws, 175 rebounds, 60 assists, 70 steals, and 25 blocked shots in 2025-26. She also helped Loyola finish 25-5 and a 16th final ranking in the NAIA en route to a SSAC regular-season title.
 

In the classroom, the New Roads, Louisiana, native has a 3.68 GPA as a criminology & justice major.                         
 

2025-26 Women's Basketball Scholar-Athlete Team

Deniya Thornton, Loyola - SSAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Morgan Holland DeWitt, Faulkner
Ramie Reid, UT Southern
Maddie Kirk, Blue Mountain Christian
Shakiria Chaney, Abraham Baldwin
Ruthie Smith, Faulkner
Aniyah Offutt, Life