BALTIMORE - The Loyola University Maryland women's basketball team fell behind early and the Greyhounds were unable to make up their deficit in a 58-46 loss to Navy in the Patriot League opener Thursday afternoon at Reitz Arena.
 
Junior Stephanie Karcz led all players with 18 rebounds, while sophomore Delaney Connolly led Loyola with 12 points and freshman Taleah Dixon chipped in 10.
 
For Navy, Jennifer Coleman led all players with 19 points and she added 13 rebounds.
 
The Greyhounds fell behind eight, 16-8, by the end of the first quarter and they were unable to make up the deficit in the second quarter as the Midshipmen worked their lead to 14 at the half, 33-19.
 
Navy started the third quarter with a trey, but redshirt senior Bri Betz-White responded with a triple of her own. Junior Hannah Niles then answered the Mids' jumper with a layup to maintain the spread. Navy went on a 10-3 run after that though, working its advantage to 21, 48-27, at the 3:51 mark of the third quarter.   

Loyola would use an 11-0 run in the fourth quarter to cut its deficit to 11, 54-43, with 1:19 to play and then pulled within 10 on Gray's 3-pointer, but the 39 seconds remaining wasn't enough to get any closer as Navy held on for the win.
 
The Greyhounds will return to action on Sunday when they travel to Army West Point. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Christl Arena.