Dec. 2, 2005

Box Score

CHICAGO - Visiting Bradley posted a 12-0 run in over five minutes during the second half to defeat Loyola, 61-50, tonight at the Gentile Center. With the loss, the Ramblers fall to 0-7 this season, while the Braves elevate their season mark at 3-3.

Bradley jumped out to a 11-3 lead early in the contest before LU used a 6-0 run to slice its deficit down to four (13-9) with 12:03 left in the opening half. The Braves stretched their advantage to 17 points (32-15) thanks to 17-6 run midway in the period that culminated with a three-pointer at the 4:27 mark en route to a 35-22 halftime lead. BU tallied 20 points from its bench compared to Loyola's four in the first half, but the Ramblers scored nine points off nine turnovers by the Braves.

LU jumpstarted its biggest rally of the contest in the first three minutes of the second half on a layup from Marquise Hanser and a three-pointer from Mandy Mennella to cut Bradley's lead to 37-27 at the 17:36 mark. Back-to-back baskets from Jenna Real and a Nicole Garcia jumper brought the Ramblers to within four (37-33) with 13 minutes left in the game. Six points from Ashley Chelleen stopped the Ramblers' momentum and hiked Bradley's lead to 43-33 at the 12:02 mark. Both teams traded scores for a three-minute stretch before BU started its decisive run to bring their lead at 17 points at the 3:56 mark. LU fought back behind three-pointers from Mennella and Hanser and a jumper from Garcia to pull within 57-49 with 2:43 left, but the Braves knocked four free throws in the closing minutes for the final margin.

"Our gameplan for tonight's game was to focus on defense and we did that," said Danielle Lonie, who recorded five points and four rebounds against the Braves. " We are using these non-conference games as a confidence builder and preparation for the Horizon League schedule in January."

Hanser recorded a game-high 15 points and nine rebounds to lead the Ramblers, who shot 32 percent from the field for the contest, while Mennella added 12 points and was 3-for-6 from beyond the arc. Garcia finished the game with a career-best eight points and seven rebounds and Real tallied eight points and three rebounds. Leading Bradley offensively was Chelleen with 15 points on 6-for-8 shooting and seven boards.

Loyola concludes its three-game homestand at the Gentile Center against Indiana State on Dec. 10 at 1 p.m.