VALPARAISO, Ind. (January 19, 2021) –
In Short…
Playing for the first time in 17 days, Loyola University Chicago held a potent Valparaiso attack to just under 28 percent shooting as it rolled to a 53-36 win this evening inside the Athletics-Recreation Center in Valparaiso, Ind. Tonight's win, Loyola's first on the road at Valparaiso since January 16, 2013, moves the Ramblers to 4-3 overall (2-1 MVC), while the Crusaders slip to 6-6 (2-3 MVC).
Head Coach Kate Achter's Thoughts…
"I'm really proud of my kids. This season has been full of adversity. Our players are dealing with emotions surrounding things happening in our country right now. I'm in awe of them. It was an unbelievable defensive effort and an unbelievable team win."
How It Happened
After Loyola went the opening 3:11 without a make from the field, a steal and score by
Maya Chandler trimmed Valparaiso's lead to 4-3. Following another takeaway from
Bre Hampton-Bey,
Anna Brown connected on a corner three to give the Ramblers their first lead of the night, 7-4. Things would remain tight throughout the opening frame, with a driving score by Hampton-Bey in the waning seconds giving Loyola a 13-12 edge.
The Maroon & Gold again struggled to get shots to fall to begin the second quarter, but were able to stretch the margin through their work on the defensive end and at the free throw line. A split at the charity stripe by
Allison Day pushed Loyola's lead to 20-13 with just over three minutes gone.
Ellie Rice rattled home a long two as the shot clock expired at the 5:33 mark to make it 23-15, but layups inside the final 2:51 of the half by Caitlin Morrison and Lauren Gunn helped the Crusaders trim the Loyola lead to four, 25-21, at halftime.
With Loyola holding on to a 27-23 lead, a second-chance bucket from Day with 5:38 to play in the third quarter was the catalyst for an 11-0 Rambler run that effectively put the game out of reach.
Jala Johnson finished off an old-fashioned three-point play that stretched the margin to nine, 32-23, before six straight points from
Sam Galanopoulos pushed the lead into double figures, 38-23, at the 2:16 mark.
Loyola took its largest lead of the night, 50-28, with just over four minutes to play in regulation, as Hampton-Bey converted off a Galanopoulos steal. The Ramblers cruised to the finish line from there, moving over the .500 mark both overall and in MVC play.
Inside The Box Score
- Loyola held Valparaiso to just 15-of-54 from the field on the night, including a 1-for-25 (.040) mark from beyond the three-point arc.
- Hampton-Bey led all scorers with 11 points (4-13 FGs, 3-4 FTs) in addition to seven rebounds and a steal.
- Day notched her second double-double of the season, finishing with 10 points (3-6 FGs, 4-6 FTs) and 11 rebounds to go along with two assists and a block.
- Galanopoulos provided a boost of the bench, scoring six points (3-7 FGs) and dishing out a team-best four assists.
- Rice, who chipped in six points and six rebounds, played a team-high 34 minutes and limited Shay Frederick, who came into this evening's game averaging 14.5 points, to just four points (2-9 FGs).
- Carie Wienman paced the Crusaders with nine points (4-13 FGs, 1-4 3FGs).
Up Next
Loyola heads to Peoria, Ill. this weekend to battle Bradley, January 22-23. Friday's matchup with the Braves is set for a 6 p.m. tip-off, while Saturday's series finale is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.
