Box Score (PDF)

In Short…
Loyola University Chicago shot a blistering 56 percent (14-of-25) in the second half as it picked up a 71-61 win over Bradley this afternoon inside Renaissance Coliseum in Peoria, Ill.  With the win, Loyola's first on the road in Valley play this season, the Ramblers improve to 5-17 (3-8 MVC), while the Braves drop back down to the .500 mark at 11-11 (5-6 MVC).
 
How It Happened
Katie Salmon knocked down a three before Abby O'Connor finished a hook shot in the paint to knot the game up at 5-5 following a game-opening 5-0 spurt by Bradley.  A pair of Ellie Rice free throws gave Loyola its first lead of the day, 7-5, just past the midway point of the quarter.  Alexis Meyer provided Loyola with a lift off the bench, scoring the Maroon & Gold's final four points of the frame as Loyola held a slim 13-12 edge at the end of one quarter of play.
 
An O'Connor mid-range jumper provided the spark for a 9-2 Loyola run that stretched the lead to 22-14 and prompted a Bradley timeout at the 6:19 mark.  Back-to-back buckets from Vanessa Markert and Chelsea Brackmann helped trim the Ramblers lead down to just one, 24-23, with 2:16 remaining before Tiara Wallace attacked the basket for her first two points of the afternoon to send Loyola into halftime with a 26-23 advantage.
 
Loyola wasted no time in taking control coming out of the intermission.  Strawbridge connected on a three as part of a 7-0 Rambler run that pushed the Loyola lead into double figures, 33-23.  Salmon answered two Shunseere Kent free throws with her second three of the game to up the margin to 42-31 with 4:52 to go.  Another Strawbridge trey with 33 seconds remaining would extend the Loyola lead to 49-35 heading to the fourth quarter.
 
Salmon finished inside at the 7:28 mark of the final frame to give Loyola its largest lead of the day, 58-38.  Bradley would amp up its pressure on the defensive end as time ticked away, pulling to as close as seven, 63-56, following an old-fashioned three-point play by Kent with only 2:18 remaining.  The Ramblers would put away any hopes of a comeback by the hosts from the free throw line in the final minutes en route to closing out a 71-61 triumph.
 
Inside The Box Score
- This afternoon's victory is only Loyola's second in Peoria, Ill. in the last 25 years.
- Strawbridge led the Ramblers with 17 points, knocking down four shots from beyond the three-point arc, to pace a trio in double figures that also included Salmon (16 points) and O'Connor (12 points).
- O'Connor added team-high marks in assists (5) and blocks (2), while Kat Nolan collected eight rebounds, the top total for a Rambler, to go along with six points.
- Loyola turned in an impressive effort on the glass, outrebounding the Braves by a final margin of 41-34. 
- Kent scored 17 points of her own to lead the Bradley attack.
 
Up Next
Loyola opens up a season-long three-game homestand next Sunday (February 11) when it plays host to MVC newcomer Valparaiso on Alumni Day.  Tip-off from Gentile Arena is scheduled for 1 p.m.