Although the Loyola women’s basketball team has yet to win a conference game this season, they have been within striking distance at the end of almost every game.
Head coach DoBee Plaisance sees a pattern in all the recent losses for the Wolfpack.
“We have opportunities to win,” she said. “It’s just a matter of finishing on the offensive end. We’re executing well, but we just can’t seem to make our shots.”
Last Saturday in the Den against William Carey, the ‘Pack led at halftime, 15-14, by limiting the Crusaders to 19 percent shooting.
Loyola continued to lead well into the second half, until the Crusaders hit consecutive three-pointers to take control of the game.
William Carey recovered from its poor shooting first half and shot more than 50 percent in the second.
The Wolfpack, on the other hand, continued to struggle in the second half as it fell to the Crusaders, 53-47.
Kate Pilgreen, general studies sophomore, had a game-high 13 points and Carlee White, political science junior, finished with a double-double (12 points, 14 rebounds).
Plaisance said it could have gone either way.
“The second half was back and forth the entire time,” she said. “The difference was a couple of turnovers and missed layups. We had an opportunity to win, but I feel good about the way we played.”
The ‘Pack then lost on the road at Belhaven, 74-64, on Jan. 16.
Communications sophomore Stacia Jackson led the team with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Tiffany Curtis, psychology sophomore, had 16 points.
The ‘Pack rallied from 18 points down with about five minutes to play, cutting the deficit all the way to two.
But to save time, the team was forced to foul the Blazers, who made all their foul shots.
Loyola once again could not find its range, shooting a dismal 38 percent from the field.
Still, the team only lost by 10 points, despite playing without all-conference player Melissa St. Mary, management senior.
St. Mary, who is the team’s second-leading scorer, had a badly turned ankle, according to Plaisance.
On Monday, the Wolfpack (1-17, 0-4) lost to the 23rd-ranked Xavier Gold Rush, 75-44.
Xavier’s Jackie Tucker was eight of nine from the field and had 17 points.
St. Mary led Loyola with 11 points and Joelle Bordelon, biology sophomore, had 10 points. Plaisance said the score was closer than it looked on paper.
“We hung around for the better part of the first half and made some great stops,” she said. “It was a very aggressive game. The referees let a lot go, which didn’t work to our advantage because they were bigger.
“It was two points for most of the first half. Then, they just pounded it inside.”
Despite the team’s slow start, Plaisance said she is confident the Wolfpack will earn a victory if the players can make their open shots.
“I’m very proud of this team,” she said. “They work hard. That’s why I really believe it (a win) is going to come. If we continue to play well, then we will get a win. There are no guarantees, but this group is a committed bunch and that usually equates to success.”
