Nov. 9, 2013

Box Score

Louisville, Ky. - Taylor Johnson scored a game-high 18 points but No. 5 Louisville used a 26-4 run midway through the first half to take control and never looked back, knocking off the Ramblers 101-54 in the season opener for both teams at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Ky. Loyola falls into the consolation round of the Preseason Women's National Invitational Tournament where it will play a pair of games next weekend.

"We talked, as a team, about playing hard and competing for the entire 40 minutes and I was proud of how we did that tonight," said first-year head coach Sheryl Swoopes. "Louisville is a great team. They are very deep and they have a chance to be there in the Final Four again. But this was a great atmosphere and the biggest stage that some of our players have been on and we are going to get better at some of the things that we did not do so well tonight and keep improving as a team."

Taylor Johnson and Troy Hambric scored Loyola's first two baskets of the season and Loyola hung tough with the defending NCAA-runner-up in the early going. As has been a theme in college basketball, the game was being called closely and foul trouble began to affect the Ramblers. Two Sara Hammond free throws gave UL a 15-7 lead and two more from Tia Gibbs made it a double-digit lead for the first time. A three-pointer from Tiana Karopulos brought Loyola within eight (20-12) midway through the half before Louisville got hot from the arc and pulled away.

Jude Schimmel answered Karopulos' three with two of her own before sister Shoni and Hammond added two more to jumpstart the game-changing run that ended with the Cardinals enjoying a 46-16 advantage. A Johnson free throw in the final minute made it a 54-23 game at intermission.

Loyola's offense was more efficient in the second half but the bigger, stronger and deeper Cardinals were able to cruise to the victory.

Johnson finished with 18 points, four rebounds and three assists to lead Loyola. She was joined in double figures by Katie Faught, who knocked down three from downtown en route to 11 points. Hambric had a terrific all-around game, racking up seven points and 12 rebounds while also pitching in with five of Loyola's 11 blocked shots.

Bria Smith led Louisville with 16 points.

Loyola will play a pair of games against opponents still to be determined next weekend (Fri.-Sat.). Check back with loyolaramblers.com for the latest updates.