CHICAGO (November 24, 2021)
 
In Short…
Loyola University Chicago turned in its top offensive performance of the young 2021-22 season this afternoon, blitzing visiting Saint Francis (Ill.) by a final score of 96-61 inside Gentile Arena.  Today's victory moves the Ramblers back over the .500 mark on the year at 3-2 overall.
 
How It Happened
Both teams seemingly couldn't miss coming out of the gate, each shooting well over 60 percent in the first quarter.  After seeing the visitors jump out to a 9-4 lead, five straight points from Bre Hampton-Bey knotted things up at 9-9 with 6:13 to go.  Hampton-Bey's second trey of the day gave Loyola a 19-16 edge at the 2:53 mark before Janae Gonzales joined the three-point party, hitting on a pair of attempts from distance in the final 1:06, the second of which put the Maroon & Gold on top, 27-24.
 
Loyola wasted no time in looking to create separation in the second quarter, opening on a 9-2 run punctuated by a Maya Chandler jumper that pushed the gap to 36-26 and forced a Saint Francis timeout.  The visitors continued to battle, pulling back within seven, 40-33, on an Andriana Acosta fast break score, but Loyola would finish the half with another push, scoring 12 of the half's final 15 points, with a Sitori Tanin layup sending the Ramblers into halftime with a 52-36 lead.
 
The Maroon & Gold continued to operate at an efficient clip during the second half, stretching the lead past the 20-point mark, 63-42, on Chandler's second triple inside a 28-second span.  Saint Francis would get no closer than 20 the rest of the afternoon, as Loyola stayed perfect at home.
 
Inside The Box Score
- Loyola's 96 points scored today are its most since a 98-53 win over Chicago State back on November 19, 2019.
- For the second time in as many outings, the Ramblers operated at above a 50-percent clip from the field, finishing the day at 55.9 percent (38-of-68).
- The pairing of Chandler and Gonzales led a group of five to score in double figures for Loyola.  Chandler poured in a career-high 21 points (8-12 FGs, 3-6 3FGs, 2-2 FTs), while Gonzales matched her on the day, knocking down seven threes, two off her single-game program record, en route to a 21-point (7-11 FGs, 7-10 3FGs) effort of her own.
- Paced by Gonzales' effort from distance, Loyola hit on a single-game program-record 15 three-point field goals, shooting 45.5 percent (15-for-33) from deep.
- Tanin continued her terrific play of late, closing her day with 15 points (7-9 FGs, 1-2 FTs), nine rebounds, and three blocks, the last two of which were team-best marks.
- Hampton-Bey was a factor on both ends of the floor, adding 13 points (5-8 FGs, 3-5 3FGs) in addition to three rebounds, six assists, and three steals.
- Allison Day rounded out the Rambler quintet to reach the 10-point plateau, chipping in 10 points (5-8 FGs) while also recording a pair of blocks.
- Sam Galanopoulos handed out a team-high seven assists, her third straight game with at least five helpers.
- Loyola was dominant on the glass, outrebounding the Fighting Saints by a 48-18 margin.
- Acosta led Saint Francis with 18 points (8-12 FGs, 1-1 3FGs, 1-2 FTs).
 
Up Next
Loyola closes out its current homestand on Sunday, November 28 against Miami (Ohio) in a 1 p.m. tip-off.