Jan. 27, 2007

Box Score

CHICAGO - Freshman Maggie McCloskey scored a team-high 21 points, including a clutch three-pointer midway through the second half, as Loyola eased past Detroit, 78-68, this afternoon at the Gentile Center. Loyola, which surpassed its win total from last season, improves to 5-14 (3-5 Horizon) while the Titans stumble to 4-17 (1-7).

Loyola opened the game strong and used a 21-8 spurt midway through the opening half to open a 33-16 bulge with 3:40 on the clock. The Ramblers balance was on display as seven different players scratched the scorebook in the run. Detroit managed to hang around and Loyola had to settle for an 11-point halftime lead after a Jenna Real free throw in the final seconds.

Loyola's second-half lead fluctuated between seven and 11 points for the first half of the period before a Joyce Massey hoop pulled the Titans within 52-48 at the 7:57 mark. However, McCloskey answered with a long three-pointer to boost the lead back to seven and she converted a driving lay-up minutes later to help the Ramblers regain a double-digit lead. Detroit had one last run and an India Bruster three-point play again made it a four-point game with 2:36 to play. Real followed with a pair of charity tosses and Marquise Hanser buried a three from the left corner to make it a seven-point game with 1:11 left. The Ramblers drilled 5-of-6 from the line the rest of the way to seal the win.

McCloskey added a game-high seven assists to her 21 points and was joined in double figures by Real (18 points, eight rebounds) and Hanser (14 points, eight rebounds). Massey led Detroit with 28 points.

Loyola hits the road next week for a pair of games in Ohio. The Ramblers open on Thursday night at Cleveland State.