Box Score

In Short…
Despite impressive efforts from both Allison Day and Abby O'Connor, visiting Bradley (15-5, 5-4 MVC) dealt Loyola University Chicago a 69-56 defeat this afternoon at Gentile Arena.  The Ramblers, who sit at 10-10 overall, wrap up the first half of Missouri Valley Conference play with a 4-5 record in league action.
 
How It Happened
Day got the Ramblers off and running just under 90 seconds in, knocking down a jumper in the paint as part of a game-opening 7-2 run for the Maroon & Gold.  The freshman's bucket at the 4:26 mark would prove to be Loyola's final of the opening period, as Bradley closed the quarter with a 5-0 spurt, all from the free throw line, to knot up at the game at 7-7.
 
Following an O'Connor jumper that briefly put Loyola back on top, 9-7, the Braves rattled off eight of the game's next 10 points, the last three of which came on a Gabi Haack triple, to open up a 17-11 edge at the 5:23 mark.  O'Connor connected on a long two off of a find by Ellie Rice to help Loyola battle back, tying the score at 17 apiece with 4:12 to play.  Bradley would respond, opening up a pair of seven-point leads before a Janae Gonzales three sent Loyola into halftime down four, 28-24.
 
After seeing Bradley extend its lead to eight, 34-26, a Gonzales layup that was followed by threes from O'Connor and Rice tied the score for the sixth time on the afternoon, 34-34.  The visitors from downstate continued to cling to the lead as the frame wound down, with a Tiara Wallace jumper closing the gap to 45-42 heading to the fourth quarter.
 
Wallace converted on a conventional three-point play a minute in to claw Loyola back within two, 47-45.  An Emily Marsh three on Bradley's next trip down the floor laid the groundwork for a surge that saw the Braves reestablish an eight-point lead, 54-46, with 5:58 to go in regulation.  Loyola would trim the deficit to six on two separate occasions, but Bradley would go on to salt the game away from the free throw line in the game's closing minutes.
 
Inside The Box Score
- Day poured in a team-high 18 points on 9-of-15 shooting and grabbed 11 rebounds, setting season highs in both categories, en route to her first career double-double.
- O'Connor notched a double-double as well, her second of the campaign, adding 17 points (6-14 FGs, 1-3 3FGs, 4-4 FTs) and 11 rebounds.  She also recorded two blocks.
- Day and O'Connor are the first Ramblers to record double-doubles in the same game since the 2015-16 season.
- Wallace and Rice both handed out six assists.
- Chelsea Brackmann finished with 24 points and 20 rebounds to lead Bradley.
 
Up Next
Loyola continues its current homestand next weekend as UNI (February 8) and Drake (February 10) visit Gentile Arena.