CHICAGO – The Loyola University Chicago women's basketball team snapped a two-game skid with a 67-39 win over South Carolina State at Gentile Arena Saturday afternoon. 11 Ramblers scored in the win while Loyola held the Lady Bulldogs to single digit scoring in three-of-four quarters.

"There were a lot of positives tonight, especially in the first three quarters," said Loyola Chicago Head Coach Allison Guth after the win. "We showed strong defensive effort and focused on completing stops on the defensive end, which was a key emphasis heading into the game,"

How it Happened
The Ramblers connected on three three-pointers before the first media timeout. Jess Finney drilled two while Naelle Bernard drained another to give Loyola Chicago a 13-5 lead midway through the first quarter. Loyola Chicago used an 18-2 run to take a commanding 20-7 lead.

Rosalie Mercille and Emma Theodorsson hit treys off South Carolina State turnovers to cap end the frame. Loyola was 9-of-15 (60-percent) from deep in the first quarter.

Thoranna Kika Hodge-Carr kicked off the second quarter with a made basket off another Lady Bulldogs' turnover, giving Loyola a 25-7 edge. At the 2:30 mark, Rosalie Mercille ignited a 9-2 run for the Maroon and Gold with a make from beyond the arc. Alexa Kinas set up the play with an assist, delivering the ball to Mercille in the left corner in perfect stride.

The Ramblers held a 38-14 lead at the half after Mercille's pullup jumper as time expired.

LUC held SC State scoreless through the first four and a half minutes of the third quarter and used its 10-0 run to inflate its lead to 34 – the team's largest up to that point. The Lady Bulldogs stopped the run briefly, but the Ramblers responded and went on another 9-2 run as LUC made the score 57-18 heading into the final 10 minutes.

With a comfortable lead through three quarters, the Ramblers rotated in reserves during the fourth quarter. The move gave South Carolina State an opportunity to close the gap, but Loyola's early dominance proved too much to overcome. Despite the late push by SC State, Loyola secured the 67-39 win, showcasing both its depth and ability to control the game when it mattered most.

Notes

• The last time Loyola held an opponent to 39 points was Feb. 8, 2023, in the Ramblers' 73-39 win at La Salle.  
• Loyola recorded 20 steals, marking its highest total in a single game in at least the last 10 seasons.
• The 'Blers turned 31 SC State turnovers into 37 points.
• The team was 27-of-55 (49-percent) from the field, tying its third-best clip of the year.
• Loyola had 11 second-chance points while the Lady Bulldogs had two.
• Loyola's bench produced 33 points, tying the season-high.
• Finney led the way with 10 points. She also snagged a season-high four steals.
• Thoranna Kika Hodge-Carr scored a season-high nine points and four steals.
• Destiny Jackson scored her first bucket of the season.
• Theodorsson's seven rebounds tied her season-best.
• Alexa Kinas grabbed a season-high four rebounds.

Up Next
Loyola Chicago is one-of-four Atlantic 10 intuitions participating in a conference rover game. Loyola will host La Salle this coming Tuesday (Dec. 3) at 5 p.m. at Gentile Arena. The game will stream live on ESPN+.