Dec. 20, 2005
Box Score
CHICAGO - DePaul's depth and athleticism were the two major differences in the game as the 14th-ranked Blue Demons knocked off Loyola, 96-48, tonight at the Gentile Center. Senior Danielle Lonie scored all of her team-high 10 points in the first half to lead the way for the Ramblers, who drop to 0-10. DePaul improves to 11-1 with the win.
"I am very proud of my team and the way we fought tonight," said head coach Shannon Reidy. "We made DePaul work tonight, especially in the first half, and were able to slow down their explosive transition game a little bit. I could not be happier with the effort. It is our goal to get better every game and, even though it has not translated into W's right now because of our challenging schedule, we are improving. We are not going to reach the status of DePaul's program after 10 games but we are going to keep working and keep getting better."
The first half was played at a feverish pace, with both teams searching for easy baskets in transition. DePaul scored the first six points before a Marquise Hanser three-pointer got the Ramblers on the board. Emily Ponder pulled LU within one minutes later before the Blue Demons extended the lead back out to eight after four minutes on an Allie Quigley jumper. A pair of Jenna Real free throws cut it to six and the lead fluctuated between seven and 11 points for the next seven minutes. Danielle Lonie scored inside to pull Loyola within seven (28-21) at the eight-minute mark before a 14-2 Blue Demon run allowed them to open up some breathing room. The Ramblers refused to give an inch in a physical opening 20 minutes. However, despite getting some good looks at the basket, Loyola hit just 8-of-27 (29.6%) in the opening period but did get to the line 16 times. All-America Khara Smith had 12 points in the period to lead DePaul, which hit 16-of-34 (47.1%) in the period and took 19 free throws.
Loyola, which was playing without Lonie in the second half, saw Ponder, its only other true post player, foul out in the opening minutes of the second half, further complicating any comeback hopes. A couple of Nicole Garcia hoops helped the Ramblers keep battling in the first 10 minutes of the second half, but with just eight scholarship players dressed entering the game, they ran out of gas down the stretch.
Lonie finished with 10 points and five rebounds before departing in the late stages of the first half. Hanser struggled with her shot all night, failing to reach double figures for the first time this season and finishing with nine points. Garcia and Real pitched in with eight points apiece. Smith finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds to lead DePaul, which wore the Ramblers down with 12 players who played throughout the game before subbing liberally down the stretch.
Loyola has little recovery time, as the Ramblers hit the road for one last game before the Christmas holiday. The Ramblers travel to Highland Heights, Ky. for a Thursday evening game against Northern Kentucky.
