NORMAL, Ill. (January 15, 2022)
 
In Short…
DeAnna Wilson scored a game-high 25 points as Illinois State (9-7, 5-0 MVC) shot 55 percent (25-of-45) from the field in handing Loyola University Chicago a 68-50 defeat this evening inside Redbird Arena in Normal, Ill.  Tonight's setback sees the Ramblers fall to 10-7 overall and 2-4 in Missouri Valley Conference play.
 
How It Happened
Kate Bullman and Sam Galanopoulos traded triples to open the night, with Galanopoulos' trey tying the game at 3-3 with just under a minute gone.  Following a Bre Hampton-Bey jumper that cut Illinois State's lead to 12-10, Kenzie Bowers knocked down a mid-range bucket that sparked a quarter-ending 12-2 run for the hosts, extending Loyola's deficit to 24-12.
 
Galanopoulos again started the scoring for the Maroon & Gold in the second quarter, connecting on her second trey to bring the Redbirds' lead back into single digits, 24-15.  Despite holding Illinois State under 30 percent from the field in the second frame, Loyola struggled to make a dent, getting no closer than 10 for the remainder of the quarter as Illinois State held a 34-22 edge at the intermission.
 
Loyola started the second half on fire, hitting on each of its first four shots.  A transition three from Maya Chandler cut the margin to 40-29 before a long two from Jala Johnson again brought the Ramblers back within single digits, 42-33, at the 6:02 mark.  Offense came at a premium at both ends of the floor for the reminder of the frame, with Illinois State taking a 46-37 advantage into the fourth quarter.
 
Layups from DeAnna Wilson and Mary Crompton in the final frame's opening minutes quickly reestablished a 13-point lead for Illinois State, 50-37.  Sitori Tanin countered with a post score with 8:22 remaining to make it 50-39, but the Redbirds' refused to let up, stretching the margin to 57-39 on a Wilson fast break bucket en route to a fifth straight victory to begin Valley play.
 
Inside The Box Score
- Chandler (3-13 FGs, 2-9 3FGs, 2-2 FTs) and Julia Hoefling (5-6 FGs) each finished with 10 points to lead Loyola, which was limited to 36 percent (21-of-57) from the field.
- Tanin provided a lift off the bench, adding six points (3-7 FGs) and a team-high seven rebounds.
- Wilson went 8-of-15 from the field and a perfect 9-for-9 at the free throw line to finish with her aforementioned 25-point output. 
 
Up Next
Loyola begins a three-game homestand next weekend, welcoming Evansville (January 21) and Indiana State (January 23) to Gentile Arena.