BALTIMORE, Md. – In its first game since January 10, Lafayette women's basketball picked up its first win of the season on Saturday afternoon, defeating Loyola 66-57 in Reitz Arena in Baltimore, Maryland.
 
The Leopards were led by senior Natalie Kucowski who totaled 19 points, 10 rebounds and six assists on the afternoon, marking her 47^th career double double. Senior Drew Freeland and junior Nicole Johnson also found themselves in double figures with 13 and 12 points, respectively. Johnson's 12 points was a season-high. Kucowski's 10 rebounds on the afternoon now brings her within 100 of becoming the Patriot League All-Time leading rebounder.
 
Sophomore Reilly Campbell notched a career-high nine points and seven rebounds in the win and freshman Ashley Evans recorded her first collegiate points.
 
Lafayette (1-4 PL, 0-4 Central) came out strong right at the start with Freeland getting the Leopards on the board first off a jumper fed to her by Kucowski. Loyola (0-5 PL, 0-4 South) put in the next four points but Kucowski was quick to put in two of her own to tie it up. From there, the Leopards would take a commanding lead off an 11-point scoring run, their largest of the day, before Loyola was able to find the basket again. The Leopards would head into the second quarter holding a 21-11 lead.
 
Evans opened up the second quarter for the Leopards with her first collegiate basket to push the Maroon and White's lead out to 12. The Greyhounds responded with a seven-point scoring run to bring the score within one, 23-22, the closest it would be all game and then a quick layup by Loyola put the Greyhounds in the lead for the first time since the first quarter.
 
It would be Johnson, with just under four minutes to play in the half, that put the Leopards back on top, 26-24. Her bucket from beyond the arc sparked a nine-point Leopards run before the Greyhounds were able to get in a basket to make it 32-26 heading into the half.
 
Freeland drained a three right away to open up the second half and from there, the Leopards never looked back, going on another eight-point scoring run to eventually build their lead out to 14 with just minutes to play in the third quarter.
 
With just under two minutes left to play in the game and the score 64-52, in favor of the Leopards, the Greyhounds attempted to once again chip away at the Leopards lead, bringing the score within 10. But it was an extra point by sophomore Jess Booth that would secure the first victory of the season for the Leopards.
 
The win marks the Leopards third-straight win over the Greyhounds after sweeping last season regular season meetings.
 
The Leopards scheduled game against the Greyhounds for Sunday afternoon has been postponed due to weather considerations. The Maroon and White will be back in action on Saturday, February 8 for a 12 p.m. tip-off against Lehigh in Bethlehem.