Box Score (PDF)
In Short…
No. 23/25 Green Bay used a stout defensive showing to pick up a 76-39 victory over Loyola University Chicago this afternoon inside Gentile Arena. With the victory, the Phoenix improves to 8-1 overall, while the Ramblers now sit at 1-8.
How It Happened
Abby O'Connor gave the Ramblers an early 2-0 lead, converting in the paint at the 8:39 mark. Karly Murphy would answer back with a second-chance score on Green Bay's next possession to spark a run that would see the Phoenix score 23 of the game's next 25 points to open up a 23-4 advantage at the end of the first quarter.
Jessica Cerda drained her first three of the day just under a minute into the second frame, igniting a 10-2 Loyola run that was capped off by an
Ellie Rice layup to trim the Green Bay lead to 25-14 with 7:31 remaining. The Ramblers would continue to hang tough, keeping the Phoenix within 11 to 15 points, before the visitors finished the half with nine unanswered points to race into halftime in front by a count of 40-20.
Five straight points from
Kailyn Strawbridge, including a three to open the half, chipped Loyola's deficit to 40-25 with 7:33 to go in the third quarter. Green Bay would amp up its pressure on the defensive end from that point forward, holding the Ramblers to only a pair of makes from the charity stripe, as it stretched its lead to 56-29.
As was the case earlier in the afternoon, Cerda would connect from distance to open the scoring in the fourth quarter to pull Loyola to within 56-32 at the 9:05 mark. The Maroon & Gold would get no closer before the end of regulation as the Phoenix picked up their third win in as many games.
Inside The Box Score
- Cerda reached double figures in scoring for the fifth time over the last seven games as she finished with a team-best 13 points.
- O'Connor posted season-high marks in both rebounds (8) and assists (5).
- Green Bay, which entered the day as the top defensive team in all of Division I, held Loyola to a 25% clip (13-of-51) from the field.
- Frankie Wurtz led a balanced attack for the Phoenix with a game-high 16 points.
Up Next
Following a week off for final exams, Loyola will be back in action on December 18 when it travels to Indianapolis, Ind. to take on Butler.
