Jan. 6, 2007

Box Score

CHICAGO - Visiting Cleveland State hit nine of its first 11 shots to open up a 17-point halftime lead but a second-half Loyola rally saw the Ramblers get as close as four before the Vikings pulled away again for an 80-57 win this afternoon at the Gentile Center. Loyola slumps to 2-12 (1-3 Horizon) while the Vikings improve to 5-12 (2-2).

Cleveland State came out smoking, scoring the first eight points of the game before a Jenna Real hoop got LU on the board after nearly four minutes. Loyola's gameplan to get the ball inside was stymied by difficulty finishing and a jumper from Nicole Thomas in the final seconds sent the Ramblers to the locker room staring at a 40-23 deficit.

Loyola came out reenergized in the second half, opening the period with a 13-2 run to close within six at the 13:55 mark. A pair of Real free throws minutes later pulled the hosts within four (46-42) at the midway point of the half but the Ramblers would get no closer as CSU outscored them 28-10 over the final eight minutes.

Real was the only Rambler to reach double figures, finishing with 21 points. Loyola's starting backcourt of Marquise Hanser and Maggie McCloskey combined for just eight points on 10 total shots. Nicole Thomas led a strong inside showing for Cleveland State with 22 points and 11 boards.

Loyola returns to action next Thursday night when it travels to Dayton, Ohio to battle Wright State.