ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. – The Loyola University Chicago women's basketball team dropped its league-opener on the road, 84-72, to St. Bonaventure Saturday afternoon. The Ramblers were led by Sam Galanopoulos' 22 points while Alyssa Fisher added 20.

"I think St. Bonaventure was hungrier for this today," said head Loyola Chicago coach Allison Guth. "Clearly, we had massive defensive defaults. When you go into a game, you have a scout prepared, you understand how people play and play to their strengths - we just allowed for so much to happen. That's a toughness check, grit check, a concentration check. And that's something that we've had to question about ourselves this year up till date,"

How it Happened
After Fisher drained a 3-pointer to commence scoring, the Bonnies started hot on a 13-2 run before the Ramblers called a timeout at the 5:52 mark. Loyola Chicago cut the deficit to 16-12 after Sitori Tanin dished the ball to Thoranna Kika Hodge-Carr beyond the arc who drained a trey at 4:04. Loyola made it a one-score affair after Fisher drilled another triple at 3:07, making the score 18-15, St. Bonaventure.

In the second quarter, the Bonnies stretched their lead to 10 points (33-23) after a quick layup and 3-pointer from Nadechka Laccen and Dani Haskell, respectively. However, before the media timeout, Galanopoulos sunk a floating jumper at 4:36 to make the deficit single digits again. St. Bonaventure came out of the break on a 7-0 run though, claiming a 40-25 lead as the two teams headed to the locker room.

The Ramblers outscored the Bonnies, 24-17, and capitalized on its best shooting quarter (46-percent) in the third frame. Loyola took off on an 11-6 run which was capped by a big three from Emma Nolan and Aaliyah Moore's breakaway layup. St. Bonaventure's Kirah Dandridge stopped the sprint with a trey at 4:56, but the Maroon and Gold raced out on another run – this time a 16-4 sprint to shrink the Bonnies' lead to 57-49 as the quarter's buzzer sounded.

With time winding down in the final quarter, Loyola sank back-to-back 3-pointers thanks to Ali Berg and Galanopoulos to make the score 73-64, St. Bonaventure. From there though, the Bonnies were effective enough at the free throw line to seal their 84-72 win.

Notes

• The 'Blers turned seven offensive boards into 12 second chance points, doubling the Bonnies' total of six.
• The Ramblers led on the fast break with 16 points while St. Bonaventure totaled 12.
• Galanopoulos' team-high 22 points marked her third-straight game in double-digits. She's reached double-figures eight times this season. She notched a team-high three assists and five rebounds as well, one shy of her season-best.
• Fisher, who scored 20, also logged her third-straight game in double-digits and eighth of the year. She also tallied a pair of steals and assists.
• Emma Nolan led the bench with nine points.

Up Next
The Ramblers return to the friendly confines of Gentile Arena Wednesday, Jan. 3, as they play host to the defending 2023 Atlantic 10 Tournament champions, Saint Louis. Tip-off is slated for 6 p.m. with the game streaming live on ESPN+.