Jan. 27, 2011

Box Score

Detroit, Mich. - In her first career start as a Rambler, sophomore Abby Skube posted a career-high 23 points, including six in overtime, as Loyola pulled away late in overtime to down Detroit, 88-77. The Ramblers move to 9-10 (3-5, HL) on the season.

Head coach Eric Simpson inserted Skube into the starting lineup to provide Loyola with an extra spark on the offensive end. The move paid off.

The sophomore from Chesterton, Ind., made her first two buckets of the game to pull Loyola within one at 5-4. As the teams traded baskets for much of the first half, the Ramblers closed out the opening frame on a 9-3 run, thanks to late jumpers from Monica Albano and Lindsey Sebetic. Loyola took the lead into halftime 38-32.

The Ramblers continued their fine play early in the second half, pulling ahead by 18 points with 11 minutes to go in regulation. The Titans, who attempted 29 three-pointers in the contest, caught fire at the right time, pulling within seven points with under three minutes left to play. Brittany Boeke provided Loyola a slight cushion with a layup at the one minute mark to put the score at 71-66. Once again, the Titans fought back, adding five late points, including a three-point bucket with nine seconds left to force the game into overtime.

In the extra session, Loyola moved out to a six-point lead midway through what would be the final frame. Detroit made one last run with a pair of free throws from Jalesa Jones, but the comeback effort fell short, as Loyola added five free throws of their own to close out the win 88-77.

Skube led the Ramblers with 23 points on 9-16 shooting. Albano posted 19 points and Sebetic scored 15. The 88-point showing was Loyola's highest offensive total of the season. In the loss, Detroit's Dominique Dixon finished with a game-high 27 points.

The Ramblers will continue its Midwest swing on Saturday, Jan. 29, when they face Wright State in Dayton, Ohio. Tip-off is set for 1:00 p.m. CST.