Deniya Thornton is Loyola’s do-everything engine — and one of the SSAC’s nastiest two-way mismatches
In the 2025-26 season, Deniya Thornton has been Loyola’s stat-sheet bully, leading the Wolf Pack in scoring (18.9 points per game), steals (2.7), and blocks while also pacing the team in key minutes and showing the kind of perimeter-versus-post versatility coaches love[3][11]. She’s already earned national and conference recognition, including NAIA Offensive Player of the Week and SSAC Defensive Player of the Week, plus prior all-conference and All-America honors, which backs up the eye test: high motor, physical, disruptive, and reliable when the game gets messy[2][7][12].
