Box Score (PDF)

In Short…
Visiting Youngstown State jumped out to an early double-digit lead as it raced past Loyola University Chicago, 73-49, this afternoon inside Gentile Arena.  The victory sees the Penguins move to 1-2 overall, while the Ramblers drop to 0-3.
 
How It Happened
Tiara Wallace connected on a corner three with just over two minutes gone to give the Ramblers an early 3-2 advantage.  Youngstown State would hold Loyola without a made field goal for nearly six minutes as it scored 18 unanswered points to open up a 20-3 lead.  A layup from Kat Nolan at the 1:53 mark would bring an end to the drought for the Maroon & Gold as the Penguins took a 26-7 lead into the second quarter.
 
Abby O'Connor registered her first make of the day with 7:04 remaining in the first half to bring the Ramblers to within 34-9.  A long two from Brandi Segars with three minutes to play briefly cut the Youngstown State lead to 36-17 before the visitors closed the half with a 6-0 spurt to head into halftime with a commanding 42-17 edge.
 
Back-to-back triples from Jessica Cerda and Katie Salmon, respectively, cut the margin to 47-25 near the midway point of the third quarter.  Youngstown State answered back with a trio of makes from beyond the three-point arc over the final 2:22 of the frame to establish a 58-28 advantage entering the fourth quarter.
 
Loyola would chip its deficit to 62-36 following a three by Lauren Segars at the 7:56 mark.  An old-fashioned three-point play by Lee Williams cut the Penguins' lead to 70-45 five minutes later.  Williams would add a pair of makes from the charity stripe in the game's closing minutes to close out the scoring on the afternoon. 
 
Inside The Box Score
- Cerda came off the bench to connect on three triples as she finished with 11 points, the top mark for a Rambler.
- Kailyn Strawbridge also reached double figures for Loyola as she added 10 points to go along with a team-best three assists.
- Lauren Segars corralled six rebounds to pace the Ramblers in the category.
- Alison Smolinski scored a game-high 15 points to lead a group of three Penguins in double figures.
 
Up Next
Loyola begins a season-long five-game road trip on Tuesday evening as it heads north to take on Milwaukee.  Tip-off from the Klotsche Center is scheduled for 7 p.m.