The Loyola women’s basketball team is riding a five-game winning streak coming into its last two games of the season while looking for a spot in the post-season playoff schedule.

Their win against the top team in conference, Bethel University, helped keep their hopes of a possible championship alive.

For accounting junior Megan Whittaker, the team couldn’t have picked a better time for this type of winning streak.

“I think we’re peaking at the right time. We definitely have it in us to contend for a championship,” Whittaker said.

A transfer from the University of Louisiana Lafayette, Whittaker has transitioned seamlessly into the Wolf Pack’s system this season, averaging 9.6 points per game.

The team beat Bethel University on Feb. 22 in an overtime buzzer-beater, a pivotal win for the team, giving them hope for some championship game time.

“Bethel was a huge game for us, because they were ranked first in our conference and 18 in the country. If we continue to win, we’ll get a good seed in the conference,” Whittaker said.

Even though the women are having a winning streak, there is still room for improvement according to head coach Kellie Kennedy.

“We are proving that we can win close games; not that we’re playing exceptionally well. We’re playing well enough to win it. In all three of those games we’ve had a lead and let it slip,” Kennedy said.

In order for the Wolf Pack to secure a top spot in the conference, Kennedy said she believes that they have to maintain and build on considerable leads early in the game.

She said there is always a player that brings a strong driving force to the court in the last few games of the season.

And Kennedy said that this year, that playoff push comes from psychology pre-med junior, Rebekah Greer.

“Rebekah Greer has been a great spark for us in these last three weeks. She’s really comfortable in her role,” Kennedy said. “Offensively she’s contributing even more.”

Having a major impact on a team that is playoff bound is nothing new for Greer. For her, it’s all in the preparation.

“It all starts with practice. How you practice is how you play. I’ve just been making sure that I work hard,” Greer said.

Greer has consistently hung her hat on the defensive end of the floor this season, which has further ignited her role in the Pack. But they have to bring a total team effort to the table in order to be successful in these last two games, which will directly reflect their playoff schedule

“Our focus has to be on playing as a team. Everyone has to contribute. We each have to make sure that we hold up our responsibility and fight for 40 minutes,” Greer said.

Mark Robinson can be contacted at [email protected].