CHICAGO, Ill. (December 1, 2022)
 
In Short…
Loyola University Chicago (2-6) battled its way through a rough night on the offensive end and chipped a 13-point fourth-quarter hole down to five late in regulation, but could not finish off its comeback as host UIC (7-1) held on for a 45-36 win this evening at Credit Union One Arena.
 
How It Happened
Offense came at a premium on both ends in the opening frame.  Jada McCloud's layup at the 6:49 mark gave UIC a 3-0 lead and snapped a 3:11 drought without a made field goal by both teams to begin play.   Sam Galanopoulos converted on a floater in the lane to get Loyola on the board just past the midway point of the quarter, trimming the hosts' lead to 5-2.  McCloud continued to force the issue inside, scoring in the final minute to stake the Flames to a 9-4 lead at the end of the first quarter.
 
After seeing UIC push its lead to 15-5 on a Ky Dempsey-Toney bucket early in the second quarter, Loyola chipped away.  Sitori Tanin connected on a jumper in the paint to pull the Maroon & Gold within eight, 15-7, before coming up with a block that led to a breakaway finish by Galanopoulos that trimmed the gap to 15-9 with 5:27 to play in the half.  Galanopoulos finished off her own miss, cutting the margin to 18-13, but a Dempsey-Toney make with 56 seconds remaining sent UIC into the halftime with a 20-13 edge.
 
Loyola's offensive woes carried into the third quarter, with the Ramblers going scoreless for the first 2:34 of the half before Maya Chandler hit on a mid-range jumper to bring the deficit to 25-15.  Keona Schenck drained the first three of the night for either team on UIC's ensuing possession, stretching the Flames lead to 28-15.  The Maroon & Gold continued to battle as the quarter wore on, with another Galanopoulos fastbreak bucket trimming the gap to 34-23 heading to the fourth quarter.
 
UIC pushed its lead to 40-27 on a Sara Zabrecky three with only 4:43 to play in regulation before Loyola looked to mount a late comeback.  Kira Chivers knocked down a corner trey, the Ramblers' first three of the evening, that brought the lead back down to single digits, 40-32, at the 3:32 mark.  Chivers was back in the mix again in the final minute, dropping home a floater that made it a five-point game, 41-36, with 54 seconds remaining.  Loyola would unfortunately get no closer, as the Flames went on to ice the game from the charity stripe to secure a fourth straight victory.
 
Inside The Box Score
- Loyola closed the night at 25.5 percent (13-for-51) from the field and was guilty of 16 turnovers.
- Galanopoulos reached double figures in scoring for the second time this season, leading the Ramblers on the night with 11 points (4-9 FGs, 3-4 FTs).
- Tanin ripped down a team-best six rebounds in addition to adding nine points (3-14 FGs, 3-4 FTs).
- Chivers provided a spark off the bench, chipping in eight points (3-8 FGs, 1-6 3FGs, 1-2 FTs).
- McCloud finished with 11 points (5-8 FGs, 1-2 FTs) to pace UIC.
 
Up Next
Loyola opens a brief two-game homestand on Saturday, December 3 when it entertains Bradley in a 5:30 p.m. tip-off inside Gentile Arena.