Nov. 29, 2005
Box Score
CHICAGO - Visiting Chicago State used a 12-0 run in the latter portion of the first half to open up a double-digit lead and were never headed in a 68-50 win over Loyola tonight at the Gentile Center. The Ramblers drop to 0-6 on the young season while the Cougars improve to 4-1 with the win.
For the second consecutive game, Loyola jumped out on top quickly, scoring the first five points to assume the early lead. Chicago State battled back to take an 11-7 lead, eventually stretching it to 17-11 on a lay-up from Brandi-Janai Carter at the midway point of the period. Loyola responded and a Mandy Mennella three-pointer cut the deficit to three (19-16) at the 8:31 mark. Mennella found herself wide open from the arc on the next possession but could not convert and, after a defensive stop, the Ramblers had another chance to pull closer but a steal for a lay-up followed by another lay-up off an offensive rebound restored the seven-point lead and were the first two buckets in the difference-making run, which ended with CSU up 31-16 at the 3:39 mark. After an Emily Ponder hoop made it an 11-point game, the Cougars opened an 18-point edge before Sarah Caro beat the halftime buzzer with a three-pointer from the corner to pull LU within 38-23 at the break. Two categories told the story of the period, as Chicago State owned a 20-6 edge in points in the paint and turned 17 Rambler miscues into 21 points.
Loyola battled out of the locker room, and hoops inside from Jenna Real and Danielle Lonie made it a 38-27 game after 80 seconds of play. The teams essentially traded hoops over the next five minutes as the Ramblers just could not make a dent in the deficit. After an Ayesha Neasley jumper made it a 49-31 lead, LU was able to string a pair of hoops together to pull back within 13 but Chicago State continued to pound the offensive glass for second and third chances to temper any Loyola comeback hopes.
Marquise Hanser led the Ramblers, who shot just 35.3% for the game, with 13 points while Real added her first double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds. Carter led the Cougars with 13 points off the bench.
Loyola returns to action on Friday night (Dec. 2) when it hosts Bradley for a 7 p.m. tip at the Gentile Center.
