The women’s basketball team has quickly upped their rank thanks to their impressive winning streak.

The Lady ‘Pack is now ranked No. 16 in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics poll, the highest in Loyola’s history, due to their recent success of crushing their competition and building a 25 conference game winning-streak.

“Winning 25 games straight is a nice accomplishment for our team,” said Kiely Schork, mass communication senior. “Our team is doing a good job in hiding our weaknesses and exposing our strengths. Also, a key to our success is our coaches. The coaches do a great job preparing us for games and making sure we have a balanced attack. They provide us with great leadership.”

This attack worked in the Jan. 24 game against Mobile, when the ‘Pack outscored the Rams in overtime, 91-81.

With just over four minutes left to play in overtime, Trenell Smith gave the ‘Pack a 79-77 lead after squeezing into the lane and nailing a difficult layup.

That was the catalyst for a late Loyola run.

The Wolfpack scored on the next three possessions while keeping Mobile from scoring. After Smith nailed one of her two free throws with less than three minutes to play, Loyola suddenly found itself up 85-77.

They wouldn’t give up the lead.

Management senior Christine Mainguy scored a career high 23 points. She also had seven steals, proving to be a defense as well as offensive force on the day. Smith scored a career high 34 points. She also dished out four assists while grabbing four rebounds.

The Wolfpack’s 65-57 win, the 25th of the season, against Tougaloo on Jan. 26 turned out to be a little unsettling for head coach Dobee Plaisance.

“Tougaloo played us a very tough game. They were physical, and they played very hard,” Plaisance said. “They put us in a position where we were having to claw our way out on the road, so that credit goes to Tougaloo. Hopefully, that was our only skid.”

The game fared well for Smith, however, who scored a career high of 24 points, gaining the title of Jan. 28 GCAC Player of the Week, her first time this season.

That makes five GCAC Player of the Week awards between her and her sister, Trenese Smith, management sophomore, who was also named the Jan. 20 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Women’s Basketball Division I Player of the Week.

Despite the gritty win against Tougaloo, Plaisance is thrilled with the season’s recent success.

“It certainly gives us a sense of confidence, and it gives us something to work for as far as continued success,” Plaisance said.

“The true definition of success isn’t necessarily getting at the top. It’s staying at the top. So that’s the challenge that we’re facing.”

Briana Prevost can be reached at [email protected].