Jan. 23, 2010

Box Score

CHICAGO - Visiting Milwaukee shot 50% from the floor and Loyola, despite having chances, just could not get over the hump in an 80-66 setback this afternoon at the Gentile Center. The Ramblers drop to 10-9 (4-4 Horizon) while Milwaukee improves to 8-10 (3-4).

"Obviously, I am disappointed with the result today," said head coach Eric Simpson. "After getting a big win on Thursday it was important to come out today and back it up with another 'W' but we just could not come up with a defensive stop or a defensive rebound when it mattered most."

As has been the case when these teams get together in the Windy City, both teams were in a good offensive rhythm from the opening tip. Milwaukee jumped out to a 20-14 lead on a Lindsay Laur three-pointer and led by eight (26-18) after a pair of Danielle Jorgenson free throws. The Ramblers responded immediately, tightening up their defense to rattle off the next 12 points to snatch a 30-26 lead. Ellen Ayoub and Shannon Finnegan each had six points in the spurt to account for all 12 LU points. Loyola still held a three-point edge (35-32) before UWM scored the final nine points of the half to take a 41-35 lead into intermission. Both teams shot the ball extremely well in the half, each hitting 15-of-30 (50%) from the floor.

Loyola pulled within four on two occasions early in the second half but Milwaukee stayed hot, opening up a 50-39 lead on a Jodie McClain basket. The Ramblers hung tough and got within four (62-58) later on a Maggie McCloskey three-pointer. In need of a stop, the Rambler defense forced a UWM miss on the ensuing possession, however, the Panthers grabbed an offensive rebound and were fouled. Ashley Imperiale hit the first free throw, missed the second only to have Laur run down the rebound and feed Imperiale for a three-pointer that bumped the lead back to eight at the 5:47 mark.

It was an uphill battle from there and the Ramblers could not get any closer than six points the rest of the way.

Milwaukee finished the game shooting an even 50% while Loyola cooled off in the second half (39%) to finish at a 44% mark for the game. The visitors also enjoyed a slight edge on the glass (34-29), leading to a telling 18-10 advantage in second-chance points.

Collins finished with 16 points, four rebounds and five assists to lead Loyola with Finnegan and Ayoub adding 10 points apiece off the bench.

Loyola enjoys a small break before wrapping up the first half of its Horizon League schedule next Saturday at the Gentile Center against UIC.