BALTIMORE – Loyola University Maryland women's basketball's defense held visiting Mount St. Mary's to 2 of 15 from the floor in the first quarter and 6 of 25 overall, and the Greyhounds captured a 63-42 victory in non-conference play at Reitz Arena.
The Greyhounds led 16-4 at the end of the first quarter and took a 39-14 at halftime.
Loyola's 25-point lead at halftime was its largest at the break since going up 28 on Cornell in November 2016; the 21-point margin of victory was the second largest since
Danielle O'Banion became head coach in 2021-22.
Lex Therien scored 14 points and had 14 rebounds for her fifth double-double in seven games this year as Loyola improved to 4-3 overall with the win. Her sister,
Ava Therien, logged her first collegiate double-double with 13 points and a career-high 11 rebounds.
Kelly Ratigan matched Therien's 14, making four 3-pointers.
Laura Salmerón added 10, and
Meliah Van-Otoo scored eight.
Rebounding gave Loyola a significant edge Saturday afternoon. The Greyhounds grabbed 45 boards and held The Mount to 19.
Loyola scored the game's first 11 points and then went up 14-2 at 2:28 in the first quarter on a traditional 3-point play by Van-Otoo.
A Ratigan steal and layup at 2:19 pushed the lead to 20, 32-12, and an offensive rebound and putback by
Lily Bottomley made it 39-14 at halftime.
Mount St. Mary's did not get closer than 17 the rest of the game.
Loyola will return to Reitz Arena on Wednesday, December 6, for an 11 a.m. game against Bryant University when the Greyhounds host their annual Field Trip Day.
