NEW ORLEANS - The University of New Orleans cut a 17-point disadvantage to single digits before the half, but could not completely overcome the deficit in a 69-56 loss to Loyola on Saturday afternoon at the Den.
The loss was the second on the year against the scholarship-level Loyola (11-4) squad for UNO (1-14). The Wolfpack won the team's previous meeting 76-48 on Dec. 11 at Lakefront Arena.
Dinnelle Cormier scored a career-high 19 points, topping her 16 against Louisiana-Lafayette earlier this year. Megan Buckley joined in the career-high performances, posting 14 points in surpassing her 12-point performances against Mississippi College and ULL.
Amy Sprout produced a double-double for Loyola, scoring 13 points and pulling down 11 rebounds. Megen Berner matched Sprout with 13 points while Jasmine Brewer shared game-high scoring honors with UNO's Cormier at 19 points.
The Lady Privateers got off to a slow start, missing their first six shots of the game and coupled with three turnovers, found themselves down 8-0 to Loyola. UNO rallied within five at 16-11 on a three-pointer by Buckley before the hosts took off.
The Wolfpack scored 12 straight points and had gained a 28-11 lead with 4:47 remaining before the half.
The large lead would not last long as UNO finish the opening half by making five of their final eight shots from the field to cut the deficit to 31-22. Four different Lady Privateers scored during the 11-3 run that carried the visiting squad into the half.
Loyola answered by scoring 12 of the first 14 points in the second half to move ahead 43-24.
Buckley answered with a three-pointer to end the run, though UNO would not be able to get within single digits the remainder of the game as the Wolfpack reached a game-high 19-point advantage.
UNO will get to enjoy the comforts of home as they will match the season's longest homestand with three straight contests on campus. The Lady Privateers will host Southern-New Orleans on Jan. 13, followed by games against Dillard (Jan. 20) and Savannah State (Jan. 23).
