Box Score (PDF)

In Short…
Valparaiso shot just over 53 percent as part of a blistering third-quarter showing that helped it pick up a 76-60 victory over Loyola University Chicago this evening inside the Athletics-Recreation Center in Valparaiso, Ind.  Tonight's result sees the Crusaders improve to 9-7 (2-3 MVC), while the Ramblers fall to 3-13 (1-4 MVC).
 
How It Happened
After an early bucket from Abby O'Connor put Loyola on the board first, Valparaiso responded with six straight points, the final two of which came from Caitlin Morrison, to open up a 6-2 lead with four minutes gone.  A Kailyn Strawbridge three that was sandwiched between a pair of Jessica Cerda makes from distance saw Loyola take a 13-8 lead before the hosts finished with a 9-3 spurt to edge back in front, 17-16, after one quarter of play.
 
Neither team was able to gain separation as part of a back and forth second quarter. As was the case in the opening frame, O'Connor opened the scoring with a slick post move to give Loyola an 18-17 advantage.  A Grace Hales three put the Crusaders back on top, 23-20, before consecutive scores from O'Connor and Katie Salmon, respectively, regained the lead for Ramblers, 24-23, at the 6:16 mark.  With Valparaiso holding on to a 32-30 lead, Strawbridge knocked down her second three of the night in the half's closing seconds to send Loyola into the locker room on top, 33-32.
 
Four quick points from O'Connor to begin the second half saw the Ramblers stretch the margin to five, 37-32, with 8:58 remaining in the third quarter.  Valparaiso would catch fire in the following minutes, taking off on an 11-0 run to surge in front, 43-37, and force a Loyola timeout.  Loyola would chip the deficit down to four on a Tiara Wallace split at the line with four minutes to play in the third quarter before back-to-back threes from Nicole Konieczny and Dani Franklin pushed the deficit into double figures, 49-39.  The Maroon & Gold would get no closer than eight for the remainder of the night as Valparaiso picked up its second conference win of the season.
 
Inside The Box Score
- O'Connor, fresh off being named the MVC Newcomer of the Week on Monday, led all scorers with 16 points, six rebounds, an assist and three blocks.
- Cerda and Strawbridge joined O'Connor in double figures in scoring, each chipping in 12 points.
- The Ramblers finished the night with a season-high 15 assists, including by five apiece from Wallace, who added nine points off the bench, and Strawbridge.
- Hales paced a quintet of Crusaders in double figures with 15 points.
 
Up Next
Loyola is back out on the road next weekend when it visits Southern Illinois (Jan. 19) and Missouri State (Jan. 21).