The Loyola women’s basketball team’s four-win streak ended Saturday in the hands of Lamar University in a 69-53 decision at the Montagne Center.

An undersized Loyola Wolfpack retrieved only half the rebounds as Lamar (27-54) and shot 30 percent from the field.

The ‘Pack held steady in the first half and closed to within five points (27-22) of the larger Lady Cardinals, who had an average height difference of four inches.

The Cardinals jumped ahead 40-27 after four minutes in the second half.The ‘Pack came back with an 8-0 run to trim the lead to single digits (40-35) with back-to-back 3-pointers from shooting guard Kiely Schork, general studies sophomore.

The Cardinals retaliated with a 15-foot jumper by Audrea Samuel with 13:08 left in the game. The Cardinals built the lead with back-to-back lay-ups by Chelsea Gugliotta. The Wolfpack was able to cut the lead to nine with criminal justice junior Dani Holland’s jumper with just less than six minutes left. The ‘Pack failed to cut the lead from there out as Lamar outscored Loyola 14-7 in the final minutes to secure the victory.

The women’s team tied the record for 3-point attempts (34) at the Montagne Center with South Alabama. The ‘Pack, however, was held to 23.5 percent from the arc.

Lamar’s LaToya Carson led all scorers with 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Gugliotta added 13 points.

Schork led the ‘Pack with 11 points. Point guard Joelle Bordelon, sociology senior, added nine points and dished out seven assists.

Loyola (5-4) travels to McNeese State University tomorrow before competing in several tournaments, including the University of Hawaii tournament and New Year’s Classic in Mobile, Ala.

Before its winning streak was broken, Loyola won both of its games in the Huntingdon Classic on Nov. 19 and 20 and set several records.

The ‘Pack defeated Wesleyan College by 54 points, 85-31, which was the largest margin of victory in team history. The previous mark was a 52-point win over Arkansas Baptist College last season.

Holland led the team with 15 points. Marjorie Bilinski, finance sophomore, had 12 points, and Rebekah Bankston, general studies freshman, added 10.

In a 99-53 victory over Atlanta Christian College, Bordelon set a Loyola record with 21 assists. She also scored 12 points.

Schork led all scorers with 18 points and seven assists.

Michael Nissman can be reached at [email protected].