CHICAGO (November 2, 2018) – With official practices now in full swing, Loyola University Chicago will host its lone exhibition game ahead of the 2018-19 season on Saturday when it welcomes North Central College to Gentile Arena.  Admission to the 1 p.m. tip-off against the Cardinals is free of charge.
 
Third-year head coach Kate Achter welcomes back seven letterwinners, highlighted by Abby O'Connor, who led the Ramblers in scoring (10.5 ppg), rebounding (5.6 rpg) and blocked shots (1.2 bpg) as part of a breakout rookie campaign that ultimately saw her earn a spot on the Missouri Valley Conference's All-Freshman Team.
 
LOYOLA – NORTH CENTRAL – THE SERIES
Saturday's exhibition tilt will mark the first meeting between Loyola and North Central in over 35 years.  The Ramblers picked up victories over the Cardinals in the 1981 (82-58) and 1982 (77-66) seasons.  Loyola is a perfect 3-0 in exhibition games under Achter.  Last season, the Maroon & Gold cruised to a 91-56 exhibition victory over Concordia (Ill.) behind a 16-point, 14-rebound showing from O'Connor.  Returnees Kailyn Strawbridge (14 points) and Ellie Rice (10 points) also reached double figures in scoring in the win.
 
SCOUTING NORTH CENTRAL
North Central is coming off a 5-20 season in 2017-18.  The Cardinals were picked to finish seventh in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Preseason Poll.  Under the direction of first-year head coach and former Rambler great Maggie McCloskey-Bax, North Central returns seven letterwinners, a group led by forward Maya Walls, who averaged 8.0 points and 4.9 rebounds last season.
 
UP NEXT
Loyola officially raises the curtain on the regular season on Friday, November 9 when it hits the road to take on former Horizon League foe Youngstown State at 6 p.m. (CT).