Boxscore (PDF) 

In Short
Host Butler used a fourth-quarter surge as it withstood a valiant effort by Loyola University Chicago, defeating the Ramblers by a final count of 64-52 this evening inside Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind.  Tonight's results sees the Bulldogs improve to 7-4, while the Ramblers fall to 1-9. 
 
How It Happened
Butler scored the night's first seven points, a run that was capped off by a Tori Schickel layup, to force an early Loyola timeout.  Ellie Rice helped get the Ramblers back within striking distance, connecting on a pair of threes during the opening 10 minutes of play, to trim the Bulldog lead to 18-12 after one quarter of play.
 
A second-chance score from Kailyn Strawbridge put Loyola on the board first in the second frame and sparked an 11-0 run that saw Loyola surge in front, 23-18, on a Katie Salmon score with just over five minutes remaining in the half.  Shae Brey finished in the paint on the ensuing Butler possession to snap a 5:28 scoreless drought for the hosts.  Threes on consecutive trips by Whitney Jennings and Michelle Weaver pushed the Bulldogs back in front as Butler took a 32-25 advantage into halftime.
 
Another Jennings triple upped the Butler lead to 37-29 with two minutes gone in the third quarter.  Loyola would once again answer back, pulling even at 37-37 on Jessica Cerda's first three of the night with 6:12 remaining.  Butler responded, stretching its lead to eight, 50-42, before a Tiara Wallace bucket just before the buzzer pulled Loyola to within 50-44 at the end of the third quarter.
 
Consecutive scores from O'Connor and a split at the free throw line by Strawbridge saw Loyola chip the Butler lead down to a single point, 50-49, with 5:44 to play in regulation.  Following a defensive stand by the hosts, Jennings drained her fourth and final three to ignite a 7-0 run that saw Butler open up a 57-49 edge with only 2:36 remaining.  The Bulldogs would salt the game away from the charity stripe in the closing minutes en route to picking up a victory.
 
Inside The Box Score
- Salmon and O'Connor finished with 12 points apiece to lead the Rambler attack on the evening.  Both members of the duo finished just shy of a double-double, with Salmon collecting nine rebounds, while O'Connor grabbed eight caroms. 
- Strawbridge added 11 points to round out Loyola's trio to score in double figures.
- Jennings poured in a game-high 23 points to lead the way for Butler.
 
Up Next
Loyola closes out the non-conference portion of its schedule on Friday afternoon when it hosts city-rival UIC at 12 p.m.