Box Score

In Short…
Ellie Rice and Tiara Wallace both reached double figures in scoring as Loyola University Chicago dropped a 64-52 decision to UNI (10-6, 3-1 MVC) this afternoon at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa.  The Ramblers now sit at 7-7 overall (1-2 MVC). 
 
How It Happened
An Abby O'Connor three snapped a game-opening 4:06 scoreless spell for the Maroon & Gold, trimming UNI's lead to 9-3.  The Panthers would open up a 13-3 edge before Rice's first make of the day laid the foundation for a 7-2 spurt, capped off by another O'Connor triple, that cut the deficit to 15-10 with 2:39 remaining.  Karli Rucker rattled off the opening frame's final five points as UNI answered with a run of its own to reestablish a double-digit lead, 22-12.
 
Loyola struggled to make a dent in the Panthers' lead for the majority of the second quarter, with the margin hovering between seven and 10 points.  Alexis Meyer provided the Ramblers with a lift off the bench as the half wound down, converting inside on a pair of trips, as Loyola whittled the UNI lead down to 32-26 at halftime.
 
UNI came out of the intermission firing on all cylinders, ripping off nine unanswered points, the last two of which came on a Taylor Hagen layup, en route to opening up a 41-26 edge with just under three minutes gone.  The gap would reach 16 on a pair of separate occasions as the Panthers surged into the fourth quarter with a 49-35 advantage.
 
A Janae Gonzales three with 6:27 remaining in regulation trimmed the margin to 11 (54-43) as Loyola looked to mount a rally.  Allison Day followed that up by finishing inside before two Rice free throws pulled the Ramblers back within eight, 55-47, at the 5:08 mark.  Ellie Howell responded with a backbreaking corner triple on the ensuing UNI possession to push the lead back into double figures, 58-47, as the Panthers closed out their third Valley victory of the season.
 
Inside The Box Score
- Rice led the Ramblers with 12 points, while Wallace chipped in 11 points and grabbed six rebounds.
- Day, who made her third straight start, ripped down nine rebounds, tying a season high, and handed out a season-best three assists to go along with four points.
- Rucker poured in 23 points for UNI, leading all scorers.
 
Up Next
Loyola returns to the friendly confines of Gentile Arena on Friday, January 18 at 3 p.m. to host Evansville.