Dec. 22, 2011

Box Score

Des Moines, Iowa - Host Drake used a 9-0 run midway through the second half to take control and Loyola saw a late rally thwarted as the Ramblers dropped a 65-50 decision this evening at the Knapp Center in Des Moines, Iowa. The Ramblers drop to 5-6 with the loss while the Bulldogs move to 6-5 with the win.

"Tonight was one of those nights where we did not shoot the ball particularly well and it cost us," said head coach Eric Simpson. "A couple of our big scorers had off nights and Drake was able to convert a couple of key offensive rebounds for baskets that kind of hurt us. I am proud that we kept battling. We pull within eight and have a big chance to get closer after the flagrant foul but we could not capitalize or get over that hump tonight."

Drake got off to a fast start, drilling a pair of three-pointers to grab an early 16-7 lead. The lead ballooned to 11 (20-9) before the Ramblers got going. An Ayrealle Beavers three-pointer started a 9-0 LU spurt that cut the lead to two at the 6:36 mark. The Ramblers' defense managed to keep getting stops, holding the Bulldogs to just three points over a 9:11 span, but their offense struggled to find the range and Drake managed to take a 29-23 lead into halftime.

DU's Rachael Hackbarth had two put-backs in the opening minutes of the second half as the home team rebuilt a double-digit lead but Loyola kept battling, drawing within seven after a Troy Hambric three-point play. The Ramblers sliced the deficit to six (45-39) on a Lauren Hibbard bucket at the 11:51 mark but Drake responded with its 9-0 run to grab a 54-39 lead with just over seven minutes on the clock. A basket from Patrice King, a Monica Albano three-pointer and a Katie Kortekamp lay-up in succession pulled the Ramblers within eight (56-48). Drake managed a basket on the ensuing possession and, upon video review, the Bulldogs were assessed a flagrant foul for an elbow during that possession. However, Loyola missed both free throws and missed two chances on the resulting possession and DU's Brittnye McSparron knocked down a three-pointer on the next Bulldogs possession to turn the tide and, essentially, seal the victory.

Albano scored 12 of her team-high 15 points in the second half to lead Loyola, which shot just 32% overall from the floor for the game. Hambric joined her in double figures, finishing with 13 points and five rebounds.

The Ramblers return from their Christmas break and begin Horizon League play next Thursday (Dec. 29) at Milwaukee. Tip is set for 7 p.m.