CHICAGO – The Loyola University Chicago women's basketball team earned its first win of 2023-24 after dismantling Chicago State, 74-47, in the Jones Convocation Center on Chicago State's campus.
Sam Galanopoulos led all scorers with 15 points as the Ramblers improved to 1-1.
"I've got to tell you, there are some great things that came out of today's victory," said head Loyola Chicago coach
Allison Guth. "
Sam Galanopoulos was fantastic from the start of the game. She dropped in 15, got into a little bit of foul trouble, and then led from the bench.
Then that point guard leadership picked up with
Kira Chivers. Her ability to score from beyond the arc is something we've asked for her to do. And she brought that today,"
Loyola Chicago raced out to a 14-8 lead at the end of the first quarter thanks to an early 10-0 run.
Thoranna Kika Hodge-Carr opened the Maroon and Gold's scoring efforts with a jumper in the paint before Galanopoulos capped the run with a trey from
Ali Berg at 6:57.
Hodge-Carr and Chivers opened the second frame with back-to-back driving layups, laying the foundation for a 53 percent (8-15) outing from the field in the quarter. The team ended the half on a 14-8 run, building a 37-19 lead as the two teams headed to their locker rooms.
The Ramblers' defense in the third quarter stymied any chance the Cougars had at a comeback – the squad's lock-down defense forced CSU to shoot 4-12 from the field. On the other side of the court, Loyola Chicago inflated its lead to as many as 28 points after a 15-0 run, giving themselves a 56-31 lead before the final frame.
In the fourth quarter, LUC kept the Cougars under control and had their best 3-point percentage of the night as the team shot 40 percent (4-10) from beyond the arc. When the dust settled, Loyola emerged victorious, 74-47.
Notes
- Galanopoulos led all scorers with 15 points. She added five boards (tied team-high) plus a pair of assists and steals.
- Emma Nolan also had five rebounds off the bench.
- Chivers was close behind Galanopoulos with her 13 points.
- Alyssa Fisher gathered five assists and four steals, both game-highs, and scored nine points.
- The Ramblers scored 34 points off 26 Chicago State turnovers.
- Loyola's bench produced 39 points while CSU's scored 14.
- LUC notched 32 points in the paint while limiting the Cougars to just 10.
Up Next
The team has a quick turnaround as it plays host to Cleveland State this Sunday (Nov. 12) inside Gentile Arena. Tip is set for 2 p.m.
"We don't have a lot of time to get to work on it, but we're playing Cleveland State. They won their conference tournament. They're an NCAA tournament team. We've got to be prepared to go against the zone and guard multiple actions. So, we're going to hit the lab tomorrow to get ourselves prepared."
