Alexa Therien ‘25 made Loyola Women’s Basketball history by scoring 44 points, the most ever scored by a female Greyhound. She led the Greyhounds to victory as they defeated the Lehigh Mountain Hawks on Women in Sports Day on Feb. 18.
Therien surpassed her career high, while also breaking the Loyola Women’s Basketball program record for most points in a game. This record was previously held by Loyola Women’s Basketball Legend and all-time leading scorer Patty Stoffey who scored 39 points on January 28, 1990. Therien also broke the Patriot League Women’s record for most field goals made in a single game with 21. Her 44 points tied with Iowa star Caitlin Clark for the fifth most points in an NCAA Division I game this season.
Therien, when asked about her success, was quick to deflect and give credit to her teammates and coaches.
“I have been struggling the last couple games to find my rhythm and I was able to find it today with the help of my teammates and the way we played together. It’s cool to be mentioned in the same sentence as Caitlin Clark. She’s the best of the best and to be in the same sentence as her is such an honor.”
Therien did this in front of a packed crowd on a special day. Women in Sports Day has been an annual tradition for the Greyhounds and is always one of the biggest days on the Loyola Athletics calendar. The school welcomes girls in kindergarten through eighth grade with free admission to a day full of activities.
The activities commenced at noon and consisted of face and nail painting, sign making, and interactive sports games with Loyola female student-athletes.
Volleyball player Riley Hamilton ‘26 volunteered at the event and discussed her experience and the great time the young children had.
“I think it’s really great that these young girls got to see so many women that have succeeded in their sport, and it lets them know that they can achieve their dreams too. It was really fun to get to interact with the kids, it helps remind us how our love for the game first started,” she said.
The game commenced at 2 p.m. and had major playoff implications for the Greyhounds. They entered the game a half-game out of first place and on a three-game winning streak.
The Greyhounds came out firing on all cylinders, exciting the large crowd, with a 25-point first-quarter performance. They continued their offensive clinic, scoring 31 points in the second quarter, and went into halftime with a lead of 56-39. Lex Therien ‘25, and Kelly Ratigan ‘26 followed not far behind both going into the second half with double figures.
Salmeron credited the first-half scoring to her team’s selfless play, benefitting off of Therien’s presence in the post.
“We were sharing the ball and finding the right shots at the right moment. Lex was scoring everything. And they were so focused on her and she is also a good passer so we were wide open for shots.”
The halftime festivities were headlined by a group photo of all female Loyola student-athletes along with all youth female student attendees of the game. Following this, there was a five-minute dance party on the court, as all participants danced along to the “Cha Cha Slide.”
Swimmer Remmi Shaw ‘25 enjoyed her day spent with the young girls and was proud to be a part of a special day highlighting female empowerment.
“These girls are full of life and passion for sports. It is days like this that make us remember the progress made in female sports and the endlessly bright future that these young girls will create for themselves and each other.”
Following the halftime celebration, the Greyhound’s offense slowed in the third quarter, only scoring 13 points, losing the quarter to Lehigh by six points, with the game going into the fourth quarter with a score of 69-58.
The Greyhounds cruised through the fourth quarter despite Lehigh shooting well from the field and won the game 93-76, thanks to Lex Therien’s afternoon of domination. Personally scoring 14 points in the fourth quarter, Therien shattered multiple records on the night.
The 93 points scored was a season-high for the Greyhounds. They shot a stellar 63.8% from the field and an unbelievable 60.0% from three-point range. This win set them in a three-way tie for first place.
Ratigan who was incredibly happy for her teammate’s historic performance and the team’s win, discussed the team’s recent successes.
“I have no words for this team right now. To be first in the league just proves that everything we worked for since July is actually paying off. The chemistry, the energy, the drive to keep going is at an all-time high.”
Head Coach Danielle O’Banion happily discussed how the Greyhounds are undefeated in February.
“It’s fitting that we’re playing our best basketball right now. After all, it’s the month closely associated with love. This team loves each other and plays hard for each other. Excited to keep it going.”
The Greyhounds look to continue to add to their four-game winning streak as they take on the Navy Midshipmen on Feb. 20 in Annapolis, Maryland.
