In Short…
Tiara Wallace cracked the 20-point mark for the third time in the last six games as Loyola University Chicago battled back from a 17-point deficit before ultimately falling to visiting UNI (17-11, 9-8 MVC), 73-70, this afternoon inside Gentile Arena. The Ramblers will enter the final week of the 2019-20 regular season at 15-12 overall (6-10 MVC).
How It Happened
Both teams came out on fire, each shooting well over 50 percent in the first quarter. Five straight points from Wallace gave the Ramblers their first lead of the day, 5-4, with just under two minutes gone. Following a
Jala Johnson layup that trimmed UNI's lead to 13-11, Karli Rucker connected from beyond the three-point arc, sparking a 7-2 spurt that put the Panthers in front by seven, 20-13.
Anna Brown answered back with a three of her own at the 1:56 mark to keep the Ramblers within striking distance, as UNI took a 22-17 lead into the second quarter.
In stark contrast to how the afternoon started, offense came at a premium during the second frame. An
Abby O'Connor layup with 5:54 remaining pulled the Ramblers within three, 24-21, before
Ellie Rice knocked down a three just over four minutes later to make it a one-point game, 28-27. UNI answered, as back-to-back Nicole Kroeger makes from distance sent the Panthers into halftime with a 34-27 edge.
The visitors looked to pick up right where they left off coming out of the intermission, opening the second half on a 14-1 tear that gave UNI its largest lead of the afternoon, 45-28, with 5:55 to play. As was the case in Friday's matchup with Drake, Loyola refused to go away without a fight, erupting on a 13-0 run that was bookended by two Wallace buckets, the last of which clawed the Ramblers within four, 47-43, heading to the fourth quarter.
Loyola continued to battle, taking its first lead since the opening minutes, 53-52, on a conventional three-point play by O'Connor with 6:40 to play. After seeing Rucker answer with a three-point play of her own that put UNI back on top, 55-53, Rice knocked down a mid-range jumper to again tie the game, 55-55. Wallace battled her way inside with only three minutes to go, finishing after contact to give the Maroon & Gold a 61-58 lead. UNI responded with seven answered points, with an Abby Gerrits layup staking the Panthers to a 65-61 lead with 1:26 to play. Loyola battled to within two on a pair of separate occasions in the final 1:17, but UNI hit on six of its final eight attempts from the free throw line to hold on for a victory.
Inside The Box Score
- Wallace was spectacular as she led all scorers with a career-high tying 26 points (11-19 FGS, 1-4 3FGS, 3-5 FTs), four rebounds, and two assists. The Berkeley, Ill. native is averaging 16.0 points over Loyola's last seven games.
- O'Connor finished with 13 points (5-13 FGs, 1-5 3FGs, 2-3 FTs) and 10 rebounds en route to her sixth double-double of the season.
- Rice rounded out a trio of Ramblers to score in double figures with 10 points (4-9 FGs, 1-3 3FGs, 1-1 FTs) and four rebounds.
- Rucker paced UNI with 24 points (8-11 FGs, 2-3 3FGs, 6-7 FTs).
Up Next
Loyola finishes the regular season on the road next weekend, battling Southern Illinois (March 5) and No. 21/17 Missouri State (March 7).
