Nov. 15, 2009

Box Score

CHICAGO - Loyola built a 19-point second half lead and withheld a furious rally from St. Xavier in a 69-64 win in its season opener this afternoon at the Gentile Center. Seniors Keisha Collins and Elyse VanBogaert scored 18 points apiece to lead the Ramblers.

"It is great to open up the season with a win," said head coach Eric Simpson. "We knew coming in that St. Xavier was going to give us a battle. They are very well-coached and have a talented group. I thought we finally were able to get into a rhythm on the offensive end in the second half but lacked the killer instinct to put them away. We got sloppy with turnovers down the stretch and let them get back into the game, so we have plenty to work on this week to get ready for two good opponents on the road."

Both teams got off to slow starts on the offensive end but Loyola was able to open up a 12-6 lead midway through the half on a VanBogaert three-point play. After the Cougars pulled within a point, the Ramblers ripped off a 12-2 run, capped by a Satavia Taylor driving lay-up, to take their largest lead of the period, 24-13, with 4:37 to play. However, the LU offense sputtered the rest of the half and the home team had to settle for a 25-21 lead at intermission.

After shooting just 31% (9 of 29) in the first half, Loyola came out much crisper in the second half. Monica Albano buried a three to extend the lead back to double figures (38-27) less than five minutes into the half and the Ramblers kept their foot on the gas pedal, eventually opening up a 19-point bulge (52-34) with 6:15 left after a pair of Albano free throws. St. Xavier then staged a furious comeback, getting as close as three points, but Loyola held strong and Collins and the Ramblers knocked down their free throws to seal the win.

VanBogaert scored 12 of her 18 points in the second half and added five rebounds for the Ramblers while Collins showed off her all-around game, finishing with 18 points (10-11 FTs), seven rebounds and five assists. Albano got her collegiate career off to a good start, adding 13 points and seven rebounds in 33 minutes.

"To come out and start off with a win is a great feeling," continued Simpson. "We have worked tremendously hard and will continue to work hard to keep getting better."

Loyola hits the road for a pair of games in Michigan this week, starting with a Thursday night clash with Western Michigan in Kalamazoo.