STORRS, Conn. - The Loyola Chicago women's basketball team faced its toughest test of the season Wednesday night, falling 85-31 to top-ranked and defending national champion UConn at Gampel Pavilion.

"This was such a special experience for our program," head coach Allison Guth said. "When you think about what UConn basketball represents and the impact it's had on women's basketball, it's incredible to be part of that environment. We have so much respect for their tradition. To be the best, you have to play the best — and nights like this are how we grow as a program."

How it Happened
The Huskies (3-0), the No. 1 team in the nation, used a dominant first half to build a 41-14 lead at the break and never looked back. UConn shot 48 percent from the field and scored 45 points off turnovers, while the Ramblers (1-2) showed flashes of defensive grit and unselfish offense against one of college basketball's premier programs.

Alexa Kinas and Alex-Anne Bessette led Loyola with seven points and three steals apiece. Clara Djoko added two points and two blocks, while Kendall Hendrix grabbed a team-high seven rebounds.

Loyola moved the ball effectively, recording seven assists on nine made field goals and forcing 12 UConn turnovers — more than No. 20 Louisville forced against the Huskies earlier this season.

Bessette banked in a 3-pointer for Loyola's first points of the game, and the Ramblers forced five UConn turnovers before the first media timeout. Brooklyn Vaughn added a turnaround jumper late in the opening quarter as the Ramblers trailed 22-9.

Bessette interrupted an 11-0 UConn run early in the second quarter, and Rosalie Mercille followed with a 3-pointer after Azzi Fudd's make on the previous possession. Kinas opened the second-half scoring with a triple in the third quarter, while Loyola added two more 3-pointers in the fourth to close the game.

Game Notes

• UConn entered the game ranked No. 1 in the nation and is the defending NCAA champion.
• Loyola forced 12 UConn turnovers, more than No. 20 Louisville forced against the Huskies earlier in the season.
• The crowd of 10,244 was the second-largest Loyola has played in front of in program history.
• Loyola recorded assists on 78 percent of its made field goals (7 of 9).
• Alex-Anne Bessette and Alexa Kinas led the Ramblers with seven points each.
• Mercille and Kira Chivers added five points each.
• Bessette and Kinas both added three steals.
• Clara Djoko contributed two blocks and two points.
• Kendall Hendrix led Loyola with seven rebounds, a career-high.