Written by Julee O'Neal, W. Basketball, Broadcast Journalism '13

LOYOLA, Maryland---November 27--- After a see-saw affair, a six point deficit was the outcome of the Howard Women's basketball match up against the Loyola University Greyhounds in Reitz Arena on Nov. 27.

Tamoria Holmes and Saadia Doyle paced the Lady Bison. Holmes finished with a game high of 20 points, and Doyle notched her third double-double of the season with 17 points and 12 boards.

The game tipped off to a competitive start, with the Greyhounds scoring the first two-point bucket of the match. Both teams traded baskets until Loyola pressed on the gas for the first 14-6 run at the 10:02 mark.  By the last media timeout of the first half, the score was set at 28-21. The Lady Bison picked up their intensity and found momentum when Doyle stole the ball to assist on a made layup by Holmes in just three seconds. From there HU took control by going on a 9-3 run to finish the first 20 minutes with a 32-31 lead.

Halftime notes: HU went a perfect 10-10 from the charity stripe. Howard had eight steals and forced Loyola into 12 turnovers. HU went 2-5 from the three point line and 10-25 from the field, both 40 percent. Loyola lead in the assist margin with 10 and also went a perfect 4-4 from the free throw line. They shot 50 percent from the three point line (5-10) and 52.4 percent from the field (11-21).

Going into the second period, both teams came out slow. Right before the first media timeout, Holmes scored the first point of the half with a lay-up at the 15:44 mark. The score was now increased to 34-31 and HU still held onto the lead. The game went on a seesaw as both teams continued to trade leads until the score was tied at 43-43 at the 7:08 mark. With just 5:49 left in the ball game, Loyola dug deep to get a 47-45 lead with a made three pointer by Katie Sheahin. The Lady Bison fought to try and take the lead again by getting the score as close as two points. In the end, Loyola held their ground and finished the match up with 62-56.

For Loyola, Nicole Krusen had 15 points in 16 minutes of play. Miriam McKenzie pulled down a team-best 11 rebounds, and contributed six points.

Game Notes: HU outscored the Greyhounds in the paint with 26 to their 21 points. HU forced Loyola into 28 turnovers and converted it to 16 points. Howard outscored LU in second chance points, 16-4. They Greyhound bench outscored the Lady Bison bench 21-0.

Howard will be back to business traveling to New York to battle Big East opponent, St. John's. Competition is scheduled for 7PM on Wednesday, November 30.