Dec. 3, 2011
Box Score
CHICAGO - Patrice King scored a career-high 26 points and Troy Hambric added 16 but No. 22/21 DePaul was able to hit enough free throws down the stretch to secure a 70-65 win over the Ramblers tonight at McGrath Arena in Lincoln Park. Loyola drops to 4-3 while the Blue Demons improve to 6-1 on the year.
"I was really happy with our effort, heart and intensity tonight," said head coach Eric Simpson. "We did a great job boxing out and working hard on defense, especially in the post. Tonight showed that we can compete at a high level and I am excited at what this group can achieve."
Loyola started off strong, jumping out to an 8-4 lead on a pair of King free throws. DePaul rattled off nine straight to open up a five-point lead but the Ramblers answered with a 9-1 run of their own, taking a 17-14 lead on a Lauren Hibbard bucket at the 9:39 mark. Neither team led by more than three for the rest of the half until two Jasmine Penny free throws with three seconds left gave the home team a 29-25 lead at halftime.
DePaul carried that momentum over into the early stages of the second half, opening the period with a 16-5 run to take its largest lead of the game, 45-30, at the 14:15 mark. Consecutive baskets from Hibbard and Lisa Samplawski helped the Ramblers stem the tide and the teams traded baskets over the next seven minutes. After a Penny free throw gave the hosts a 59-49 lead, Loyola made a push. A three-point play from Lyndsey Booker and two more King free throws made it a 59-54 game with just under five minutes to go. A King jumper later cut the deficit to just three (63-60) at the 2:08 mark but DePaul's Katherine Harry scored on a put-back to extend the lead back to five. Samplawski had a good look at a three-pointer on the ensuing possession that came up short but the Blue Demons missed a pair from the stripe to give LU another opportunity. However, Loyola could not take advantage and DePaul was able to knock down a couple more free throws to seal the win.
"The big thing for us tonight was boxing out," said King. "It was great to see our bigs be so physical tonight. DePaul is a great team and they have great size across the board so for all of us to battle like we did was great. You have to limit their second chances and by us doing that we were able to get out in transition a bit, which helped our offense."
King was terrific, scoring 19 of her career-high 26 in the second half and narrowly missed a double-double, finishing with nine rebounds. Hambric also finished in double figures, adding 16 points, while Samplawski and Abby Skube (nine rebounds) added eight points apiece.
"It is great to see all 15 kids pulling for each other and working hard for each other and I am proud of how this group has come together," said Simpson. "After a day off tomorrow we are going to come back focused and hungry, have a great week of practice and get ready to open our new arena against La Salle."
Loyola returns to action on Thursday night when the Ramblers take on La Salle in their first game at the new Gentile Arena. Tip off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
