There are games coaches mark at the beginning of the season as important, and the Loyola – Xavier game at the Barn was definitely one of them. Loyola’s performance there has made the Wolfpack women seem almost cursed.

That curse didn’t end on Feb. 28, when Loyola lost a tough one, 67-64.

The hype surrounding this game was enormous. Loyola was playing for bragging rights and for the chance to finally win at the Barn, since they have lost all 11 games played there.

The Wolfpack scored the first six points of the game. However, they trailed 38-28 at the end of the half. It was a physical first half, with 16 fouls, 10 by Xavier and six by Loyola.

The second half was a different story. The Wolfpack outscored Xavier 36-29. However, it would not be enough, as they still fell short of a victory, losing by three points with a final score of 67-64.

They remain winless at the Barn.

The game ended controversially. Loyola’s team and fans were upset a foul call was not made in their favor, and more when it favored Xavier. This play sealed the victory for Xavier.

Loyola entered this game as the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Champions and having a bid to participate in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics national tournament. They had a 16-game winning streak and have won 33 straight against GCAC teams.

However, Loyola knew winning in the Barn would be tough. Xavier has won 64 of the last 66 games played there.

Days before the game, head coach DoBee Plaisance said they would treat this game like any other and try to defuse the hype. She said she believed her team has the physical talent to win but the players must persevere mentally, considering the atmosphere in this game.

She was expecting her team to hustle and for the bench to perform well to prevail. As for Loyola not winning at Xavier, she said the team doesn’t talk about it. The Smith twins, Trenell and Trenese, who have participated in this rivalry, stressed the importance of winning at the Barn to keep the winning streak alive and to end the apparent curse. However, they added that they would treat the game as any other, they would “be Loyola.”

After the game, Xavier head coach Bo Browder said it was a great game and that the result might have been different if it was not for their defense. He did not specify whether the pressure of keeping the streak alive affected the team – he just said the Barn is a tough place for opponents to play.

Plaisance said the reason for Loyola’s misfortune could have been the pressure caused by the hype surrounding this game. She credited Xavier for playing a great game and her team for never giving up. As for the controversial foul call, she said that “one call is not going to win or lose a game for you.” Trenell Smith, who scored 16 points, believes they lost because they missed many opportunities. She added that their desire to win was less than Xavier’s.

Eduardo González can be contacted at [email protected].