The Wolfpack broke the all-time season wins record for Loyola, but celebration must wait because the ‘Pack is hoping to head to nationals.
“We’re happy about the record, but we received a vote in the national (rankings) so we’re caught up in the momentum of making the national tournament,” said coach DoBee Plaisance.
The ‘Pack is tied for fifth in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference with Spring Hill, whom Loyola has defeated twice, but is only one-half game behind third place, which is held by Mobile and SUNO.
Coming away from the record-breaking win over Spring Hill, the ‘Pack gathered at the Den to face Mobile last Thursday, winning 67-65.
The narrow win came as a result of two key shots by finance freshman Marjorie Bilinski. Loyola trailed 65-63 with a minute and a half remaining when Bilinski made a jumper, tying the game at 65. General studies freshman Kiely Schork stopped Mobile’s next possession with a steal.
Bilinski hit another jumper, giving Loyola a 67-65 lead with 53 seconds left. Loyola stopped Mobile’s final two possessions to secure the win.
Those final 53 seconds reinforced coach Plaisance’s belief about the team’s core.
“The heart and soul of this team is its defense. Our defense has the ability to meld to the team we’re playing,” she said.
Criminal justice sophomore Dani Holland led the ‘Pack with a game-high 19 points, including four three-pointers.
She grabbed 12 rebounds. Holland, who is averaging 9.8 rebounds per game, was nominated for National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Player of the Week.
Sociology junior Joelle Bordelon contributed 16 points and six assists. Bilinski and Schork were right behind her, scoring 14 and 13 points, respectively.
Racing on with a 16-8 record, the ‘Pack lost to SUNO 66-64 Saturday.
Loyola’s collective attack wasn’t enough to halt the Lady Knights’ Andrea Goodspeed and Stacey Northern. Goodspeed led all scorers with 25 points, nine of which came from the free throw line. Northern was right behind her with 22 points.
“It wasn’t a bad offensive night for us. It was a heartbreaker,” Plaisance said.
Bilinski was the ‘Pack’s frontrunner, scoring 18 points. She also grabbed nine rebounds.
Schork contributed 14 points, including four three-pointers. Music business junior Kate Pilgreen scored 10 points.
Bordelon had 13 assists. Bordelon is second in the nation in assists, averaging 6.6 assists a game. Holland had 10 rebounds. Holland is third in the nation in rebounds.
The ‘Pack battled Belhaven yesterday at the Den and travel to Dillard tomorrow at 5 p.m.
