CHICAGO (February 14, 2023) – The Loyola University Chicago women's basketball team (6-19, 1-11 A-10) will host George Mason (12-14, 5-8 A-10) Wednesday night at Gentile Arena, which marks the first meeting between the two programs. Tipoff is slated for 6 p.m. CT with the game airing live on ESPN+.
 
LAST TIME OUT
For the second straight game, Loyola rallied from a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter but couldn't close out the comeback attempt in Saturday's 48-47 loss to St. Bonaventure. Sam Galanopoulos led the Ramblers with 16 points while Sitori Tanin nearly recorded her second straight double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds. Loyola forced 24 St. Bonaventure turnovers, including 11 in the second quarter and 14 in the first half – all season highs. The Ramblers had a season high 13 steals as 4 players recorded at least one steal, including career highs for Tanin (5), Chandler (5) and Brown (3). Galanopoulos scored in double digits for the fifth straight game (career high streak) and the 13th time this season.
 
SERIES HISTORY
Wednesday's matchup will become the first meeting between Loyola and George Mason.
 
SCOUTING GEORGE MASON
The Patriots split a pair of home games last week, with a 14-point win over St. Bonaventure (65-51) on Wednesday and 21-point setback to UMass (78-57) on Sunday. George Mason averages 59.3 points per game, led by junior guard Taylor Jameson (12.1 ppg), who has been limited to just two made field goals over the past three games. Senior guard Sonia Smith (10.7 ppg) also averages double figures with senior forward Nalani Kaysia leading the team in rebounding (8.1 rpg). George Mason, led by coaching veteran Vanessa Blair-Lewis who is now in her second season with the Patriots, was picked 14th in the A-10 preseason poll.
 
UP NEXT
Loyola will head to the nation's capital for Saturday's 12:30 p.m. CT tipoff at George Washington. The Ramblers fell 75-61 to the Colonials back on Jan. 25.