On Sunday, Nov. 10, Loyola’s Women’s Basketball held their 2024-2025 season opener against the UMBC Retrievers.
The Greyhounds finished the night with a 54-46 win. In the first quarter, the team scored its highest run with 18 points. In the second quarter, the team scored its lowest with 9 points, and then 13 points in the third. In the fourth the team picked up again, scoring 14 points. Laura Salmerón ‘25 led the team in scoring with 14 points. Right behind her were Kimmie Hicks ‘27 and Lex Therien ‘25 with 12 and 11 points, respectively.
To start the night off, Christina Garcia ‘26 was able to give the team an early lead with a layup off the opening tip. To continue the lead, Salmerón hit back-to-back three-pointers. The first quarter had the Greyhounds shooting the Retrievers 1-10, and the Hounds went into the second quarter with a 15 point lead.
Spectators were excited to see the season starting up after last year’s success.
“It was really nice and high energy and it was great to see people supporting women’s sports,” Sofia Viganola ‘27 said.
UMBC went on a 8-2 run in the second quarter, which shortened the lead to nine points. By halftime the score was 27-18, with the Greyhounds still in the lead.
Koi Sims ‘25 and Therien started off the third quarter with two baskets with 7:22 remaining. UMBC caught right up, going on a 7-0 run, which gave the Greyhounds just a two-point lead. Sims was able to land a jumper and the team headed into the last quarter with the score of 40-35.
“The atmosphere made the game much more enjoyable to watch,” another spectator Ava Vuckovich ‘27 said.
With 5:39 left in the fourth quarter, the Retrievers were able to make a jump shot which cut down the lead to three points. Therien landed a layup that pushed the difference up to five. Amandine Amorich ‘27 was able to keep possession by being with a block on the defensive end.
The Greyhounds had a .431 field goal percentage and a .321 3 point field goal percentage. Sims had nine rebounds and Hicks had her career-best seven rebounds. In total, the Greyhounds had 32 rebounds to UMBC’s 23. The Greyhounds had a .778 percentage for free throws. Hicks also led the team with three assists. The team had a total of 18 turnovers and 10 steals in the whole game.
UMBC’s Jaliena Sanchez and Jordon Lewis helped the Retrievers stay toe-to-toe with the Greyhounds, each scoring 13 points.
“It was a great game and I am excited to see what they are going to do this season,” spectator Connolly Barrett ‘27 said.
Therien and Salmerón paved the way for the Greyhounds with both players making five field goals. Hicks led the Greyhounds with three free throws, Salmerón behind her with two. Sims had nine total rebounds with Hicks and Therien tying for seven.
“Overall it was a really good game to watch,” Viganola said.
This is the team’s second pre-season game. On Thursday, Nov. 7, they played James Madison University and lost 54-85. Their first game of the Patriot League is on Thursday, Jan. 2, at 6:30 p.m. against the Holy Cross Crusaders.
Their next game will take the Greyhounds to Loretto, PA to play against The Saint Francis Red Flash on Sunday, Nov. 17 at 2 p.m.
