Box Score Stat Book

NATCHITOCHES – Loyola's Keiva Council scored a Prather Coliseum record 48 points to lead the NAIA Division Wolfpack to an 84-80 stunner over Northwestern State Friday evening in women's college basketball action.
 
Council hit 15 of 23 from the floor and 13 of 16 from the free throw line and pulled down eight rebounds as the Wolfpack (7-0) handed the Lady Demons (1-4) their third consecutive loss and first defeat at the hands of a non-NCAA Division I school since a 54-53 loss to Xavier (LA) on Nov. 16, 2007.  Her point total breaks the 22-year-old coliseum record of 47 points set by former NSU great Linda Grayson set on Feb. 11, 1988.
 
“We flat out played poorly on defense,” said head coach Jennifer Graf.  “We didn't do a good job of getting back on defense in their transition, and did a poor job of squaring up on shots.”
 
Council was nearly unstoppable as she hit 8 of 11 for 26 points in helping her team build a 44-38 lead at the half.  She then fired down 4 of 6 from 3-point range in the second half to help douse any runs by the Lady Demons until late in the game.
 
But with all of her scoring, NSU made a game of it after falling behind 74-65 with 4:55 to play.
 
“I was proud of the way we battled back and gave ourselves a chance, but we never should've been in that situation,” said Graf.  “Besides our lack of defense, we need to do a better job of taking care of the basketball.”
 
NSU turned the ball over 20 times as Loyola scored 26 points off those errors.  Loyola matched the turnover number as the Lady Demons netted 23 points off of its miscues.
 
Three straight free throws by Ronikka Drake preceded a basket by Council with 4:06 to play, but Drake, who was one of five Lady Demons to score in double-figures and finished with 11 points, rolled in a layup that was followed by a free throw from Jasmine Bradley to cut the lead to 76-71 with 3:19 left to play.
 
After Bradley missed the back end of two free throws, Tiandra Williams pulled down the offensive rebound, laid in the shot, and was fouled in the process.  After her free throw completed the traditional 3-point play to cut the lead to 76-74 with 3:14 left, Council followed with two free throws of her own to push the lead back to four points.
 
Bradley would then hit the front end of two free throws to cut the gap to 78-75, and on her miss, Jasmine Upchurch corralled the offensive board and had the putback to pull NSU to within 78-77 with 2:35 to play.  That would be as close as the Lady Demons would get as Council sealed the win with two free throws with 12 seconds remaining.
 
Bradley led NSU with 17 points and 13 rebounds to garner the double-double.  Trudy Armstead added 16 points and nine boards while Meredith Graf scored 15 points and Jordi James 12.
 
NSU shot 41 percent from the field (33 for 80) but hit just 4 of 14 for 29 percent from long range.  Loyola outscored the Lady Demons at the free throw line by a 22-10 margin.  But NSU had the upper hand on the boards as it held a 49-35 margin on the glass.
 
Loyola connected on 49 percent from the field (28 of 57) and was 6 for 12 from 3-point range.
 
In addition to Council's double-digit scoring, Jasmine Brewer added 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Wolfpack.
 
The Lady Demons will be back in action on Tuesday when they visit Prairie View.