CHICAGO (February 5, 2021) –
 
In Short…
Visiting Drake (9-8, 7-3 MVC) shot a scorching 80.8 percent (21-of-26) in the first half as it raced out to a sizable lead en route to a 75-46 win over Loyola University Chicago (7-5, 5-3 MVC) this evening inside Gentile Arena.
 
Head Coach Kate Achter's Thoughts…
"I think the box score says one thing, and what we watched unfold tonight says another.  We played three quarters of solid basketball and the second quarter was really difficult for us.  I was really pleased that we regrouped at halftime and found a way to come back out and keep it even in the second half."
 
How It Happened
After seeing the Bulldogs jump out to an early 4-0 lead, a triple by Ellie Rice that was followed by a Kat Nolan mid-range score put Loyola in front, 5-4.  Drake answered back with a 14-3 run, opening up a 19-7 edge following a Monica Burich layup that prompted a Rambler timeout with 2:16 to play in the first quarter.  Loyola continued to battle, as Rice knocked down her second three of the frame in the closing seconds to close the gap to 22-14.
 
Drake came out firing on all cylinders in the second quarter, rattling off eight straight points to quickly stretch its lead to 30-14.  Nolan connected from outside in an attempt to stem the tide, cutting the deficit to 30-17, but the Bulldogs continued to operate at a torrid clip, hitting on 13 of their 16 attempts from the field in the second quarter as they raced into halftime with a commanding 50-21 lead.
 
Loyola refused to go away in the second half, holding Drake to just 11 makes on 31 tries across the final 20 minutes.  Sitori Tanin turned in a spirited effort in the fourth quarter, rattling off six points, but the Ramblers were able to get no closer than 25 over the final two quarters of play.
 
Inside The Box Score
- Rice (3-13 FGs, 3-7 3FGs) and Tanin (4-7 FGs, 1-2 FTs) paced the Ramblers with nine points apiece.
- Tanin battled on the glass, ripping down a season-high eight rebounds, four of which came on the offensive end.
- Grace Berg finished with a game-high 15 points (7-13 FGs, 1-2 FTs) for Drake, which closed the night shooting 56.1 percent (32-of-57) and recorded assists on 23 of its 32 made baskets.
 
Up Next
Loyola and Drake conclude their two-game set tomorrow at 6 p.m. in Rogers Park.