NEW ORLEANS, La. – The William Carey Women's Basketball Team wrapped up regular season play with a hard fought 72-67 victory over Loyola University Saturday afternoon.
 
"This was a playoff type atmosphere, and I thought we played well under that type of pressure," said Head Coach Tracy English. "When we got down 11 in the second half, Addy and Anna Rose hit some big shots to start a 18-4 run. This is the first time in ten years an SSAC team has run the table. Also, this was our 39th straight regular season win!!"
 
The first quarter saw a shootout with Loyola taking an 18-17 lead after ten minutes of play. The Wolfpack opened the scoring and after Leah Sutton converted one of two free throws, Kolten Blakeney put WCU ahead with a layup after two minutes of play. The rest of the quarter saw the back-and-forth battle with Loyola hitting a three pointer at the end of the quarter for the one-point lead.
 
The second opened with Carey struggling on the offensive end which allowed the Wolfpack to pull away to 26-20 lead with seven minutes remaining. After a quick timeout, Shaneal Corpuz broke the 6-0 run with a jumper with Blakeney, after picking up the block on the defensive end put WCU within two.
 
Sutton made it six straight points for the Lady Crusaders with a jumper to tie the game with five minutes to play. The final minutes of the second quarter saw the same battle from the first with the game heading into the break tied at 36.
 
Things did not go well for the Lady Crusaders to start the third. After an opening basket by Rose Warren, the Wolfpack went on a 13-0 run over the first five minutes of the quarter to take a 49-38 lead.  Addyson Sherer broke the run with a three pointer and after a basket by Loyola, Sherer and Anna Rose Engle combined for five three pointers to close the quarter to put the Lady Crusaders ahead 56-53.
 
The fourth started just like the third except this time it was Loyola that opened the quarter with a basket followed by six straight points by Madelyn Ladner and Blakeney to open a seven-point advantage three minutes in.
 
The Lady Crusaders continued the attack and over the next five minutes pushed their lead to 71-59. However, the Wolfpack would not go quietly and battled their way back to within four but would get no closer, as WCU held off the attack for the victory.
 
Addyson Sherer led the way with 18 points with Kolten Blakeney adding 17 points and nine rebounds. Shaneal Corpuz pulled down 11 rebounds with Leah Sutton racking up ten assists.
 
Next up for the Lady Crusaders will be the SSAC Championship being held in Montgomery, Ala. Feb. 26 – March 1 at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl. WCU will play winner out of Blue Mountain Christian and Point University on Thursday at 12:30 pm.