HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The William Carey Lady Crusaders used a strong second-half surge to earn a 68-61 victory over No. 20 Loyola University Saturday afternoon at Clinton Gymnasium.
Loyola came out firing in the opening quarter behind the hot hand of Jaylee Womack. Womack scored eight of the Wolfpack's first 10 points, helping Loyola build an early 10-3 advantage. Carey responded midway through the period, as
Alyssa Hillard trimmed the deficit to one before
Addyson Sherer gave the Lady Crusaders a 12-11 lead. Defense took center stage during the final minutes of the quarter, with both teams managing just one field goal the rest of the way as the game headed into the second quarter tied at 14-14.
The battle continued in the second period, with neither team able to create significant separation. Back-to-back jumpers from Anna Richerson and Chandler Caver pushed Loyola in front 25-19 with four minutes remaining in the half. The Lady Crusaders continued to fight back, and
Shaneal Corpuz knocked down a jumper in the closing seconds to cut the deficit to four as Carey entered halftime trailing 29-25.
Both teams traded baskets early in the third quarter, with Loyola maintaining a 35-30 advantage two minutes into the half. The Lady Crusaders continued to attack the paint, and after a pair of free throws by
Meyah Doyle, Corpuz and
Leah Sutton combined for six straight points to put Carey back in front 38-35 with less than six minutes to play in the period. The teams continued to exchange baskets over the next several minutes before the Lady Crusaders closed the quarter strong. A
Charlie Gamberine three-pointer followed by a Sutton layup gave Carey a 46-42 lead heading into the final frame.
The fourth quarter proved to be the difference. Carey carried its momentum into the period, stretching the lead to 57-47 on a
Brooklyn Cuevas three-pointer midway through the quarter. Loyola refused to go away, cutting the deficit to 59-55 with less than four minutes remaining. However, Cuevas answered with five consecutive points to extend the Lady Crusaders' lead back to nine at 64-55. The Carey defense locked down in the closing minutes, holding the Wolfpack to just four points the rest of the way. Late baskets from Sutton and Corpuz helped seal the 68-61 victory.
Corpuz led all scorers with 16 points while also grabbing eight rebounds. Cuevas added 14 points, and Sutton chipped in 10 points for the Lady Crusaders.
Carey returns to action Thursday, Nov. 19, when it travels to Alexandria, Louisiana, for a non-conference matchup against LSU Alexandria. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
