JACKSON, Miss. – The Belhaven women's basketball team battled No. 6 Loyola Thursday night in SSAC play, but ultimately fell 78-70.
 
Belhaven (13-10, 6-6 SSAC) started the contest against the SSAC's top ranked team by clicking on all cylinders. After multiple first half three pointers off the hands of Candler Gregory, the Blazers enjoyed a 22-9 lead.
 
The Wolfpack (19-1, 10-1 SSAC) stuck together and clawed their way back from the early deficit until the game was tied at 27 points. Although the Blazers led 37-34 at the half, the Wolfpack took command of the lead in the second half and would not relinquish it for the remainder of the game.
 
Candler Gregory finished the night with 13 points on 3-5 shooting from three-point range.
 
Ariel Wilson was tonight's top performer with 28 points on 11-18 shooting from the field. The SSAC's top scorer nearly notched a double-double, but fell just short with nine rebounds on the night.
 
Loyola's Janeicia Neely paced the Wolfpack in scoring with 19 points on the night. Neely was the floor leader in assists in the contest with six.
 
The Blazers topped the Wolfpack in field goal percentage, shooting (26-59) 44% from the field. The Blazers also scored 30 points in the paint, and capitalized with 16 points off Wolfpack turnovers.
 
Next Thursday, the Blazers will travel to Montgomery, Alabama to take on conference foe Auburn-Montgomery. Tip-off is slated for 5:30 PM.