CHICAGO (January 7, 2023)
 
In Short…
Sitori Tanin scored a career-high 19 points after returning to the starting lineup, but it wasn't enough for Loyola (6-10, 1-2 A-10) in Saturday's 76-59 setback to UMass (12-4, 2-1 A-10) inside Gentile Arena. Emma Nolan also contributed a season-high 12 points for the Ramblers while Maya Chandler chipped in with 10 points.
 
How it Happened
UMass caught fire in the fourth quarter to extend an eight-point advantage to as much as 19 with under four minutes remaining. The Minutewomen hit 6 off their first 11 attempts from three-point range in the second half, including 3 of 3 in the fourth quarter, while finishing 20 for 20 at the charity stripe after not attempting a free throw in the first half.
 
Trailing 32-24 at halftime, Loyola started fast out of the locker room with a 7-0 run capped with a layup by Chandler on a transition break. That pulled the Ramblers within three to force a UMass timeout at 7:37, and Emma Nolan buried her first trey out of the stoppage to even the score at 34-34.
 
However, UMass quickly responded to regain the lead and Sophia Nolan's layup near the four-minute mark drew Loyola back within three points, but that would be as close as the Ramblers would get the rest of the way.
 
After a dead-even third quarter, UMass outscored Loyola 25-16 in the fourth stanza. Jala Johnson's layup trimmed the deficit to 53-45 with 8:54 left to play but Sydney Taylor drilled a three on the next possession to put the visitors ahead by double digits.
 
An early back-and-forth struggle saw the Ramblers take a three-point lead in the second quarter when Mallory Ramage's 3-pointer put Loyola ahead 16-13 near the seven-minute mark. However, UMass rattled off an 11-1 run over a three-minute span to gain momentum.
 
The Ramblers also found success in the opening period, leading 11-10 going into the second quarter after holding UMass to 1-of-10 shooting to close the first frame. A Galanopolous three opened the scoring for the Maroon & Gold and Chandler's jumper in the final minute of the opening frame put the Ramblers ahead by a point.
 
Inside The Box Score

• Tanin finished 8-for-11 shooting with three assists, two rebounds and two steals
• Emma Nolan hit three treys to go along with a team-high five assists, two blocks and two steals
• Loyola outscored UMass 34-22 in points inside the paint
• Both teams registered 16 turnovers with seven of Loyola's coming in the first quarter
• The Ramblers recorded 11 steals – they're fifth game with 10 or more swipes
• UMass shot 45.5% from three-point range and only 41.8% overall from the field
• Loyola knocked down 38.6% overall from the field

Up Next
Loyola travels to Philadelphia for Tuesday night's A-10 matchup against Saint Joseph's. Tipoff is slated for 6 p.m. CT.