PULASKI, Tenn. — UT Southern put together multiple runs and saw standout scoring nights from its backcourt, but the Firehawks could not overcome a late surge in a 71–63 home loss to Loyola on Saturday afternoon.
The Firehawks opened the game with steady guard play, using early finishes from Silkiari Vazquez-Troche and Ashley Dickey to keep the opening quarter tight. Dickey heated up first, knocking down a pair of jumpers, while Vazquez-Troche controlled the tempo and created shots off the dribble. After falling behind by three at the end of the first, UTS continued to trade buckets behind Dickey's perimeter scoring and a strong inside finish from Ramie Reid, who later added two free throws to keep the gap manageable. A late first-half push brought the Firehawks within 39–34 at halftime.
Early in the third quarter, the Firehawks delivered their strongest stretch of the night. Vazquez-Troche attacked downhill for consecutive baskets, and Reid added another finish inside, helping UT Southern outscore Loyola 12–8 in the frame. Mia Jones provided a spark off the bench with a pair of free throws and a steady defensive presence, while Lauren Smith and Taya Totten contributed key rebounds to close defensive possessions. By the end of the quarter, the Firehawks had trimmed the deficit to 47–46.
UT Southern briefly claimed momentum in the fourth when Dickey converted a three-pointer from the left wing before adding a pair of attacking finishes that kept the Firehawks within one possession. Vazquez-Troche continued orchestrating the offense, feeding teammates for clean looks and finishing drives through contact. However, despite shooting 85.7 percent from the free-throw line and remaining within striking distance throughout the final minutes, UTS could not counter Loyola's decisive late run.
Dickey led the Firehawks with 23 points on 8-of-19 shooting, including two made threes and a strong 5-for-6 effort at the line. Vazquez-Troche added 18 points, 9 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, and a block in another all-around performance. Reid contributed 8 points on 3-of-5 shooting, while Jones chipped in 4 points and 2 steals off the bench. Marypaz Martinez added 5 points, and Smith and Totten combined for 9 rebounds to anchor the defensive glass.
UT Southern moves to 6–4 overall and 1–3 in SSAC play.
The Firehawks return home next week for a noon matchup with Faulkner on Saturday, December 13.
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