Box Score (PDF)

In Short…
Tiara Wallace's layup with only 0.9 seconds remaining in regulation pushed Loyola University Chicago to a 57-55 victory over former conference foe UIC this afternoon at Gentile Arena.  With the win, the Ramblers close non-conference play at 2-9, while the Flames fall to 7-4. 
 
How It Happened
A layup by Katie Salmon just over a minute in sparked a game-opening 8-0 run for the Ramblers.  Ellie Rice connected on a mid-range jumper at the 2:24 mark of the first quarter to give Loyola its largest lead of the game, 12-1.  Catera Etheridge finished inside on the UIC's next possession to snap a drought that saw the visitors go without a made field goal for the opening 8:09 of play.  The Flames pulled to within six, 14-8, on another Etheridge bucket before Salmon scored just before the buzzer to give Loyola a 16-8 lead at the end of the first quarter.
 
The Flames opened the second frame with an 11-3 spurt that was capped off by a Brittany Byrd triple to trim the margin to 19-17 with 5:13 to play in the first half.  Wallace answered back with her first make of the afternoon to push the lead back up to four, 21-17.  UIC would finish with a flurry, scoring the half's final five points, to take a slim 26-25 advantage into the locker room. 
 
Following a five quick points from Taylor Toney that stretched the UIC lead to 36-30, Abby O'Connor finished in the painted area to pull Loyola back to within four, 36-32.  Following a pair of O'Connor makes from the free throw line, Kailyn Strawbridge finished inside to even the score up at 36-36.  Rice sent the Ramblers charging into the fourth quarter by knocking down a pair of threes to put Loyola back on top, 42-36.
 
UIC retook the lead, 45-44, four minutes into the fourth quarter on a long two from Etheridge.  An old-fashioned three-point play from Tylah Lampley gave the Flames a 53-48 advantage with only 3:34 remaining.  Back-to-back buckets from Salmon and Rice, followed by a split at the line by Wallace, pulled Loyola level yet again, 53-53, with 1:10 to go.  With the score knotted up at 55-55, Wallace provided the game's deciding score, converting off of the rebound from a UIC block to give Loyola a 57-55 lead.  Wallace would seal the game with a steal on the ensuing UIC inbound pass to close out a win for the Maroon & Gold.  

Inside The Box Score
- Salmon finished with a game-high 12 points to lead a trio of Ramblers in double figures that also included O'Connor (11 points) and Rice (10 points).
- Wallace provided a lift off the bench, closing the afternoon with nine points, eight rebounds, two assists, a block and two steals. 
- Loyola dominated the battle inside, outscoring the Flames by a final margin of 34-22 in the painted area.
- Toney paced the UIC attack with a game-high 15 points.  
 
Up Next
Loyola will be idle for the a week before it opens Missouri Valley Conference play on the road against Northern Iowa on December 29 at 7 p.m.