Box Score (PDF)

In Short…
Loyola University Chicago jumped out to an early lead but a hot-shooting DePaul attack proved to be too much as the hosts picked up an 88-47 win this afternoon at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Ill.  Today's result sees the Blue Demons improve to 6-2 on the year, while the Ramblers fall to 1-6.
 
How It Happened
Jessica Cerda, fresh off a 19-point showing against Chicago State this past Friday, opened the scoring 53 seconds in when she connected on a corner jumper from just inside the three-point arc.  A Katie Salmon three with the shot clock winding down at the 4:22 mark sparked a 7-0 Rambler run that vaulted Loyola in front, 14-10.  A steal and score by Kailyn Strawbridge with time winding down gave the Ramblers a 16-13 edge at the end of the first quarter.
 
After another bucket by Salmon that pushed the Loyola lead to 18-13, DePaul took off on a 22-6 run to seize control as it opened up a 35-22 lead on an Amarah Coleman fastbreak score.  Abby O'Connor finished in the paint just 14 seconds before the halftime buzzer to trim the Blue Demon lead to 35-25.
 
DePaul came out of the intermission firing, using its pressure defense to help push its lead to 77-45 on a three from Kelly Campbell with 6:35 remaining in regulation.  Scores on back-to-back trips by O'Connor, followed by a mid-range bucket from Strawbridge, chipped the deficit down to 77-39 but that would prove to be as close as Loyola would get for the remainder of the afternoon.
 
Inside The Box Score
- O'Connor turned in the top performance of her short time as a Rambler, finishing with an impressive stat line that included 15 points, seven rebounds, three assists, two blocks and an assist.
- Salmon collected a team-high 12 caroms to go along with 11 points as she posted the third double-double of her career.
- Strawbridge also added 10 points and a team-best four assists.
- The two teams finished all square, 41-41, in the rebounding battle.
- Campbell paced a trio of Blue Demons in double figures with a game-high 18 points.
 
Up Next
Loyola faces a quick turnaround as it heads to DeKalb, Ill. on Wednesday to take on Northern Illinois in an 11 a.m. tip-off.