CHICAGO (January 6, 2023) – The Loyola University Chicago women's basketball team (6-9, 1-1 A-10) resumes the homestand Saturday afternoon against defending A-10 Conference Tournament champion UMass (11-4, 1-1 A-10). Both teams look to climb back in the win column after seeing a three-game winning streak snapped on Wednesday. Saturday's tipoff at Gentile Arena is slated for 2 p.m. CT with the game airing on ESPN+.
LAST TIME OUT
Loyola suffered its first A-10 defeat after dropping its conference home opener to Richmond 68-49 on Wednesday. The Ramblers shot just 28.6% overall from the field and couldn't climb back after being outscored 20-6 in the second quarter.
Anna Brown led the way in scoring for Loyola, knocking down four 3-pointers to finish with 12 points and six rebounds.
Sam Galanopoulos recorded 11 points, six boards and three assists. Richmond had five players score in double figures, led by Katie Hill's double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds. A positive note for the Ramblers included the team's lowest turnover total (13) over the previous six games.
SERIES STUFF
Saturday's matchup is the first meeting against UMass in program history. In total, Loyola's 2022-23 schedule features 15 first-time opponents. Prior to this season, the Ramblers only previously played three of its 14 current conference opponents including Dayton, La Salle and Saint Louis. The Ramblers have already played a first-time opponent five times this season (3-2) featuring Virginia, Saint Francis (PA), Elon, Idaho State and Richmond.
SCOUTING UMass
UMass, carrying a 20-5 record in true road games over the past two-plus seasons, hits the road for the first time in over a month with Saturday's tilt in Chicago. The Minutewomen are coming off a 75-68 setback at home against Rhode Island Wednesday night, which came after a 23-point home win over St. Bonaventure in the A-10 opener a week ago. UMass leads the league in scoring at 76.5 points per game and assist/turnover ratio (1.19). Last year's A-10 Player of the Year Sam Breen (17.9 ppg), who is fresh off her ninth double-double, ranks third among A-10 scoring leaders while Sydney Taylor (16.1 ppg) ranks sixth. Breen (10.1 rpg) leads the conference in rebounding while averaging a double-double heading into Saturday's contest. Destiney Philoxy (4.9 apg) ranks third in the A-10 in assists. All three players were named to the preseason all-conference team.
LOOK AHEAD
Loyola has a quick turnaround with a road trip to Saint Joseph's for a 6 p.m. CT tipoff Tuesday evening.
