Box Score

In Short…
Loyola University Chicago chipped a 17-point deficit down to just one in the fourth quarter but host Indiana State proved to be too much as it escaped with a 74-67 victory this afternoon at the Hulman Center in Terre Haute, Ind.  Today's result sees the Sycamores improve to 11-16 (9-7 MVC), while the Ramblers drop to 7-20 (5-11 MVC). 
 
How It Happened
Both teams operated at an efficient clip in the first quarter, each shooting well over 50 percent from the field.  Jessica Cerda knocked down a pair of threes to trim Indiana State's lead to 8-6 with 6:41 remaining.  Cerda would connect again from beyond the three-point arc at the 3:59 mark before O'Connor sunk a long two to even the score up at 15-15.  Wendi Bibbins would score four of the Sycamores' final six points of the opening frame as the hosts took a 21-18 lead at the end of 10 minutes of play.
 
O'Connor went to work in the post to open the second quarter, finishing inside to trim the deficit to just one, 21-20.  Following a pair of makes by O'Connor at the charity stripe that brought Loyola to within 25-22, Indiana State would take off on a 9-0 run that saw its lead reach double figures for the first time, 34-22, as the Sycamores raced into the intermission in front, 45-32.
 
After a Ty Battle mid-range score upped the Indiana State advantage to 49-34, Loyola rattled off eight unanswered points, six of which came from Cerda, to cut the margin to 49-42 and force a Sycamore timeout with just under four minutes gone.  An old-fashioned three-point play by Tierra Webb helped push the difference to 58-44 but the Ramblers would record the quarter's final four points to pull back to within 10 at 58-48. 
 
Loyola used a quarter-opening 7-0 spurt, the last two of which came on a Salmon layup off of a great find by Kat Nolan, to make it a one-possession game, 58-55, with 7:01 remaining in regulation.  Ashley O'Neal knocked down a three to reestablish a six-point edge for the Sycamores before back-to-back makes by Wallace and Cerda trimmed the margin to two, 61-59.  Following a split from the free throw line by Ashley Taia, Nolan would again connect with Salmon as Loyola found itself down only one, 62-61, with 2:54 to play.  A second-chance score by Taia preceded a backbreaking three from O'Neal with the shot clock winding down that gave Indiana State much-needed breathing room, 67-61, en route to victory.
 
Inside The Box Score
- Cerda reached double figures in scoring for a fifth consecutive game, leading all scorers with a game-high 19 points. 
- O'Connor added 15 points to go along with six rebounds, while Wallace came off the bench to chip in a season-high 12 points.
- Making her third start in as many games, Nolan added seven points, seven rebounds and a season-best four assists.
- Bibbins and O'Neal paced the Indiana State attack with 16 points apiece.
 
Up Next
Loyola opens its final homestand of the regular season on Thursday at 7 p.m. when it plays host to MVC leader Drake inside Gentile Arena.