Rows of crowded bleachers watched the women’s basketball team defeat Spring Hill College on Monday night 56-46.

Despite the relatively small deficit, the ‘Pack closed out the victory primarily in the final five minutes of the game.

The ‘Pack capitalized on Spring Hill’s turnovers and went 17-for-27 from the free throw line in the second half. Despite being out-rebounded 42-33, Loyola rallied in the second half by stepping up on defense and nabbing 18 steals.

Dani Holland, criminal justice senior, led the game in steals with six.

Their teammates and coach may still not be able to tell them apart on the court – or off it for that matter – but the Lady Badgers immediately recognized that the freshman identical Smith sisters are forces to be reckoned with.

Tranese led all scorers with 17 points and her sister, Trenell, was the night’s second highest scorer with 15.

The Smiths combined for 32 of Loyola’s 56 points Monday night. When asked what their focus for the game was, the siblings concurred with “dribble penetration on both ends of the court and making stops on defense.”

The ‘Pack travels to Mobile, Ala. on Feb. 9 to play the University of Mobile, currently the top team in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference.

The team returns home Feb. 16 to play Bellhaven.

Kathy Martinez can be reached at [email protected].