Jan. 7, 2012
Box Score
CHICAGO - Visiting Detroit used a 22-6 run early in the first half to open up a lead and was able to thwart several Loyola comeback attempts in a 76-66 win over the Ramblers this afternoon at Gentile Arena. Loyola slides to 6-9 (1-3 Horizon) while the Titans improve to 7-9 (3-1) with the win.
"I thought Detroit's post players gave us some trouble today," said head coach Eric Simpson. "We tried several different looks but could not slow them down enough. I was happy with how Simone (Law) played today and it was nice to see Monica (Albano) get into a good flow as well. Patrice (King) did not shoot the ball very well but she was aggressive going to the basket and was able to get to the foul line."
Loyola scored the first five points of the game on an Albano three-pointer and a Law put-back before Detroit found its feet. A Sherita Brown basket capped the 22-6 spurt that gave UDM a 22-11 lead midway through the half. Four King free throws and an Albano trey accounted for all seven points in a 7-0 LU run that made it a 26-22 game before a Yar Shayok basket sent the Titans to the locker room with a six-point halftime lead.
The Ramblers struggled to make a dent in the deficit in the early stages of the second half and two Brown free throws helped Detroit restore a double-digit lead (47-36) with just over 14 minutes to play. Albano knocked in two more from downtown to help LU battle back and the hosts were within four (50-46) after a pair of Law charity tosses. The deficit fluctuated from four to eight points over the next four minutes before UDM took its largest lead (64-52) on a Jalesa Jones free throw with 5:37 on the clock. Loyola hung tough and made it a two possession game with just under a minute to go but Detroit hit six straight free throws the rest of the way to seal the win.
Law narrowly missed a double-double, finishing with 22 points and nine rebounds to lead the Ramblers. Albano added 18 points and five steals while King shook off a tough shooting night to also finish with 18 points, including a 12-for-12 effort from the foul line. Brown led Detroit with 31 points and 11 boards.
Loyola hits the road for a pair of games next week starting with a Thursday night tilt at Youngstown State. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. CT.
