In Short…
Led by a quartet of players in double figures, Loyola University Chicago picked up a 73-49 victory over visiting North Central College in the Ramblers' lone exhibition game this afternoon inside Gentile Arena.
 
How It Happened
Following a fast break bucket from Tiara Wallace, triples from Natali Dimitrova and Tyonne Howard staked the visiting Cardinals to a 6-2 lead with just over two minutes gone.  Loyola answered back with six straight points of its own, retaking the lead, 8-6, on an Ellie Rice midrange jumper.  Neither team was able to gain separation as part of a back and forth opening frame that saw North Central hold a slim 16-14 edge after the opening 10 minutes.
 
The Ramblers caught fire from beyond the three-point arc to open the second quarter, with Janae Gonzales connecting on three triples as part of 14-2 Loyola run that pushed the Maroon & Gold in front, 28-18, at the midway point of the quarter.  North Central would get no closer than eight for the remainder of the first half as the Ramblers took a 32-22 advantage into halftime.
 
Loyola kept its foot on the gas coming out of the intermission.  An old-fashioned three-point play from Kat Nolan preceded an Abby O'Connor make from distance that pushed the lead to 46-26 with 5:23 remaining in the third quarter.  That surge proved to be more than enough to seal an exhibition victory for the Ramblers. 
 
Looking At The Numbers
- O'Connor led the aforementioned quartet to score in double figures with a game-high 16 points.
- Wallace made her presence felt on both ends of the floor, adding 14 points to go along with two blocks and two steals.
- Loyola turned in a sparkling defensive performance in the second quarter, holding North Central to just under 19 percent (3-of-16) shooting from the field as it claimed a lead it would never relinquish.
- Alanna Newsome finished with 13 points to pace North Central on the afternoon.
 
Up Next
Loyola officially opens the 2018-19 season on the road when it takes on Youngstown State on Friday, November 9 at 6 p.m. (CT).