In Short…
Two Lexi Wallen free throws with just over a second remaining in double overtime proved to be the difference as Illinois State (14-8, 6-5 MVC) claimed an 86-85 victory over Loyola University Chicago tonight inside Redbird Arena. Tonight's result moves the Ramblers to 15-8 overall and 6-6 in Missouri Valley Conference play.
How It Happened
Behind a quick five points from
Abby O'Connor, Loyola jumped out to a 7-2 lead with 5:31 to play in the first quarter. Offense proved tough to come by for the Maroon & Gold for the remainder of the frame, with Illinois State using a 9-2 surge that was capped off by a Paige Saylor three to edge in front, 11-9.
After seeing Illinois State push its lead at 16-11, a driving score by
Sam Galanopoulos and two
Janae Gonzales free throws pulled the Maroon & Gold within one, 16-15. With the Redbird lead sitting at 25-21, Galanopoulos connected on a triple before O'Connor finished in the paint to give Loyola a short-lived 26-25 edge, as Juliunn Redmond knocked down a long two as time expired to put the hosts in front at the break, 27-26.
The two teams would trade the lead for much of the third quarter, with Loyola opening up a brief four-point lead, 47-43, following five straight points from
Kat Nolan in the late stages of the frame. TeTe Maggett responded back with a three with time winding down to cut the gap to one, 47-46, heading into the fourth quarter.
A Redmond layup just over two minutes in saw Illinois State take a three-point lead, 52-49, but Gonzales provided the response, burying a trey to knot the game up at 52-52 with 7:21 remaining. Following a Wallen post score that gave the Redbirds a 58-57 lead, a
Jala Johnson layup sparked a 7-0 Rambler run that gave Loyola its largest lead of the evening, 64-58, with just 41 seconds to play. Illinois State answered back with five points over a five-second span to pull within one, 64-63, with 31 seconds remaining. After two Wallace free throws with 12 seconds to go gave Loyola a 70-67 lead, Wallen heaved up a deep three with time winding down to knot the game up at 70-70 and force overtime.
Both teams struggled to gain separation across the two extra sessions. A Wallen bucket with 36 to play in the first overtime tied the score at 76-76. Both teams came up with defensive stops down the stretch to send the game to a second overtime. Loyola looked to seize control in the closing minute. Two
Ellie Rice free throws trimmed Illinois State's lead to one, 84-83, with 21 seconds to play. After a pair of Redmond misses at the line, Wallace finished off glass with just five seconds to go, sending the Ramblers back in front, 85-84. Following an Illinois State timeout, Wallen would draw a foul with just over a second remaining, knocking down both of the resulting free throws to give the Redbirds an 86-85 edge. A desperation heave down the floor was deflected, as Illinois State held on for a victory.
Inside The Box Score
- Wallace flirted with just the second triple-double in program history, finishing with a team-high 22 points (9-16 FGs, 4-4 FTs), seven rebounds, a career-high tying nine assists, and three steals.
- Loyola received a pair of big efforts from its bench, with
Allison Day finishing with 14 points (7-11 FGs) and 10 rebounds, while Gonzales added 13 points (3-8 FGs, 3-8 3FGs, 4-4 FTs).
- O'Connor narrowly missed out on a double-double, chipping in 12 points (4-14 FGs, 2-7 3FGs, 2-2 FTs) and nine rebounds.
- Wallen led all scorers with 35 points (10-15 FGs, 2-2 3FGs, 13-14 FTs).
Up Next
Loyola makes the short trip up Interstate 74 to battle Bradley on Sunday at 2 p.m. inside Renaissance Coliseum in Peoria, Ill.
