CHICAGO – Sam Galanopoulos eclipsed 1,000 career points as the Loyola University Chicago women's basketball team won its second-straight game, beating St. Bonaventure, 78-50, at Gentile Arena. Playing in her 134^th game in the Maroon and Gold, she's the 29^th Rambler to join the 1,000-point club and the first since Allison Day did so in 2022.

"Good day for Rambler basketball. What was exciting for us was that we actually defended and scored it in the same game. That was exciting for us," said Loyola Chicago head coach Allison Guth. "Some special things happened today. Sam Galanopoulos obviously scoring her 1,000^th point. I think you can tell a team's culture by observing the bench and how they celebrate one's success. I think the celebration for Sam was so well deserved because Sam has poured her blood, sweat and tears into this program. She's been loyal in a climate that you could choose to go and play a lot of different places for your fifth year, and she chose she wanted to do it here and do something special here. So, to be celebrated for that effort was incredibly special."

How it Happened
Despite the Bonnies scoring the first bucket of the game, Loyola Chicago came out of the gates swinging, posting an 8-0 run after the St. Bonaventure layup. Loyola extended its advantage to nine points (13-4) after Alyssa Fisher ignited a quick 5-0 run after her 3-pointer from Ali Berg. The Bonnies picked up their pace towards the end of the frame and shrunk the gap to 13-10, LUC, after a 6-0 run.

But, with the Maroon and Gold cashing in 60-percent of the shots from the field in the opening quarter, Loyola stretched the lead back to seven points (19-12) after Fisher's pullup jumper ended the frame. 

In the second quarter, Loyola lit it up from beyond the arc, sinking four of their seven (57-percent) 3-pointers. Fisher, who scored 16 points in the first half alone, made a second chance trey after Sitori Tanin dished her the rock beyond the arc to give Loyola a 10-point edge (32-22).

Later in the third quarter with LUC up, 40-33, the Ramblers (10-8, 4-3 A10) took off on a massive 12-0 run, which included six points at the charity stripe. The 'Blers held St. Bonaventure (4-14, 1-6 A10) without a point from 8:04 to 2:14 in the quarter and outscored the Bonnies, 19-14.

A 10-0 Loyola run from 7:04 to 3:40 in the fourth and final gave the Ramblers a game-high 30-point lead. Additionally, LUC held St. Bonaventure without a point from 8:10 to 3:40 in the fourth quarter and eventually outscored the Bonnies, 21-9. In the end, Loyola dismantled St, Bonaventure, 78-50.

Notes

• The Ramblers have shot north of 50-percent from the field in two-straight games. Today, Loyola was 28-51 (55-percent) from the floor.
• Loyola's 28-point margin of victory is their largest under Allison Guth and their largest since Dec. 3, 2021, vs. Dartmouth.
• Loyola had 24 points off 19 St. Bonaventure turnovers.
• Fisher's game-high 24 points were her 62nd career double digit scoring game and her 11th of the season. It was also her 14^th-career 20-point game and her fifth of the season.
• Galanopoulos' 16 points were her 42^nd-career double digit scoring game and her 11th of the season.
• Sitori Tanin's 15 points are her 39th career double-digit scoring game and her tenth of the season. She cashed in two threes for a new career-high.
• Kira Chivers' four assists ties her season-high.
• Emma Nolan's seven free throw attempts are a season-high.
• Destiny Jackson's two points were her first of the season.

Up Next
The Ramblers are next in action Wednesday (Jan. 24) as the team travels to Fordham. Tip-off from New York City is set for 6 p.m. CT with the game streaming live on ESPN+.