Dec. 18, 2005
Final Stats
Valparaiso, Ind. - The inside-outside duo of Tamra Braun and Carrie Myers combined for 18 points in a 25-4 run midway through the first half that sent Valparaiso (5-4) to an 83-50 win over Loyola (0-9) this afternoon at the Athletics-Recreation Center in Valparaiso, Ind. Junior Marquise Hanser had 16 points to lead three Loyola players in double figures.
"I have known Keith (Freeman, Valparaiso head coach) a long time from recruiting and we knew they had a good team," said head coach Shannon Reidy. "They played inside-out extremely well today and play with a lot of confidence on the offensive end. They play together and look for each other. We are struggling with our offensive execution and some of our players do not play with an offensive edge which leads to some standing and waiting for Marquise or Mandy to do something."
Loyola opened the game strong and were able to match hoops with the taller Crusaders through the first 10 minutes of the game. Hanser scored LU's first five points and Mandy Mennella knocked down a three of her own to keep the Ramblers in the thick of things, but Braun was a force in the paint, scoring 11 of Valpo's first 14 points to give VU a 14-10 lead after eight minutes. Hanser connected on another three-pointer to make it 14-13 and Nicole Garcia followed with a baseline jumper to give LU a one-point lead at the midway mark of the period. However, Mayella Kuikhoven converted a three-point play to give the Crusaders the lead back and started the back-breaking run that ended with the Ramblers facing a 39-19 deficit with just over two minutes to go in the half. Loyola went cold from the field, hitting just 1-of-11 field goal attempts during that eight-minute span while Valpo knocked down 10 of 12 shots, including four three-pointers from Myers. Late hoops from Hanser and Jenna Real helped Loyola cut it to a 44-27 deficit at halftime, a half in which Valpo enjoyed a 24-6 edge in the paint.
Hanser hit another jumper on the opening possession of the second half, as the Ramblers pulled within 15, but Myers answered with a three on the other end and Valpo had an answer for each Rambler challenge the rest of the way, using a 20-6 spurt midway through the second half to put it out of reach.
Valparaiso finished the game shooting 54% from the floor compared to 42% for the Ramblers, who were outrebounded for only the second time all year (32-26).
Hanser led the way for Loyola with 16 points with Mennella and Real chipping in 10 points apiece. Braun finished with a game-high 21 points and Myers added 20 to lead Valpo.
The Ramblers have a quick turnaround and return to the court Tuesday night when they take on No. 16 DePaul at the Gentile Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
