Box Score
In Short…
Southern Illinois (12-12, 5-8 MVC) shot just over 53 percent (16-of-30) from the field in the second half as it downed Loyola University Chicago, 64-41, this evening at Gentile Arena. Tonight's result brings an end to Loyola's modest two-game winning streak, dropping the Ramblers to 12-13 (6-8 MVC).
How It Happened
Abby O'Connor provided the Ramblers with an early spark, scoring Loyola's first nine points as the Maroon & Gold built a 9-5 edge with 6:39 to play in the first quarter. Southern Illinois battled back to knot the score up at 11-11 before two
Ellie Rice layups provided the bookends to a quarter-ending 5-0 spurt that pushed Loyola out to a 16-11 advantage.
Following an
Alexis Meyer layup that staked the Ramblers to a 18-14 lead with just over three minutes gone, Caitlin Link drained a three to open a 7-0 Saluki run, putting the visitors back on top, 21-18, at the 2:35 mark.
Citiana Negatu converted in traffic to snap a 6:45 drought without a make for Loyola, briefly tying it up at 21-21 until Nicole Martin knocked down a mid-range jumper as time expired to give Southern Illinois a 23-21 lead at halftime.
Loyola continued to struggle to find a rhythm on the offensive end coming out of the locker room, as Southern Illinois stretched its lead to 30-21 before another Negatu bucket trimmed the margin back to down seven, 30-23, near the midway point of the frame. The Salukis would take control for good as time wound down in the third quarter, with back-to-back Makenzie Silvey treys upping the Southern Illinois lead to 38-25 as part of an 11-1 run that ultimately helped sealed the outcome.
Inside The Box Score
- O'Connor finished with 17 points (7-18 FGs, 3-6 3FGs), seven rebounds, two blocks and two steals to lead Loyola on a night where the Ramblers where held to 30.8 percent (16-of-52) shooting from the field.
- Rice handed out a team-high three assists in addition to scoring nine points and recording a pair of steals.
- Martin posted a double-double (17 points, 16 rebounds) to pace the Southern Illinois attack.
Up Next
Loyola hosts Missouri State in its regular season home finale on Sunday afternoon at Gentile Arena. Senior Day festivities will precede the 1 p.m. tip-off against the Lady Bears.
