CHICAGO — Loyola Chicago put together multiple scoring runs and its strongest defensive stretches of the season but couldn't overcome cold shooting in a 59–44 loss to Illinois State on Tuesday night at Gentile Arena.

"This was an interesting one because at halftime I felt like we were finally showing who we can be against a really quality opponent," said Head Coach Allison Guth. "I have tremendous respect for Illinois State and Coach Kristen Gillespie—she's one of my closest friends and one of the best in the business—so this matchup meant a lot personally. Our defense was strong, and I liked our adjustments, but in the second half our offense disappeared. You can't win shooting 17 percent from three and 27 percent from the field. It's a tough loss because it felt closer than the final score, and we have to be better offensively and in rebounding—our fans deserve that."

How it Happened
The Ramblers (1-4) shot 27.4 percent from the field and were held to six points in the fourth quarter, despite pulling within one early in the second half and keeping the Redbirds (3-1) without a field goal for nearly nine minutes spanning halftime.

Brooklyn Vaughn posted her second straight double-double with 10 points and a career-high 13 rebounds — the most by a Rambler since Sitori Tanin's 14 against Bradley on Nov. 16, 2023. Vaughn also set a career high with three assists. Alexa Kinas added a team-high 11 points and tied her career best with seven boards, while Alex-Anne Bessette scored nine points and blocked two shots. Kira Chivers recorded a season-high three steals.

Illinois State took a 19-8 lead after the first quarter, using a 10-0 stretch. Loyola still forced four ISU turnovers in the opening frame, including a Vaughn steal that set up a Rosalie Mercille three to tie the game at 5-5.

The Ramblers responded with their best quarter of the season, outscoring the Redbirds 21-13 in the second. A 10-1 run from the 7:51 to 4:44 mark trimmed the deficit to three, powered by a Roisin Grandberry block and board, a Vaughn and-one, and five straight points from Bessette. Loyola held Illinois State without a field goal for the final 3:28 of the half to make it 32-29 at the break.

Loyola's defense carried into the second half, holding ISU without a field goal until 8:01 in the third. Vaughn's layup at 8:24 cut the margin to 32–31, the closest the Ramblers had been since the early minutes. Another 4-0 run narrowed it to 38-36, but Illinois State regrouped to take a 44-38 lead into the fourth — its lowest-scoring quarter of the season.

Loyola again opened strong defensively, holding ISU without a point for the first 4:59 of the fourth and pulling within 44-42. But the Redbirds closed on a 15-2 push to seal the win.

Game Notes

• The Ramblers finished with 36 rebounds (14 offensive), 13 assists, four blocks and six steals while forcing 14 turnovers.
• Loyola forced 14 Illinois State turnovers and held the Redbirds without a field goal for many spans.
• Vaughn posted her second straight double-double, finishing with 10 points and a career-high 13 rebounds — the most by a Rambler since Nov. 16, 2023.
• Vaughn also recorded a career-high three assists and reached double figures for the third time in her career.
• Kinas led Loyola with 11 points, her season high and second career double-digit scoring game, and matched her career best with seven rebounds.
• Bessette scored nine points and tallied a team-high two blocks.
• Chivers' three steals marked a season high.
• Loyola dominated the second quarter, outscoring Illinois State 21–13 and assisting on 10 of 11 made field goals in the half.
• The Ramblers held ISU to its lowest-scoring quarter of the season (12 points in the third) and their lowest point total (59 points).
• Loyola pulled within one twice and tied it once — but never held a lead.

Up Next
Loyola returns to action on Saturday (Nov. 22) at crosstown rival UIC. Tipoff from Credit Union 1 Arena is set for 2 p.m. on ESPN+.