CHICAGO – Naelle Bernard erupted for a career-high 25 points against her former team, Duquesne, while Loyola Chicago poured in 41 fourth-quarter points. However, a sluggish third quarter and 23 turnovers proved costly, as the Ramblers fell, 75-70, on Saturday afternoon at Gentile Arena.

"I'm very proud of our team's fourth-quarter fight in trying to put us in a position to beat a talented Duquesne team," said Loyola Chicago Head Coach Allison Guth. "What it comes down to, for us, is valuing the possession so we get more offensive opportunities. We still come away from this game getting 67 shots to their 59 and that's due to our 13 offensive boards and forcing them into 18 turnovers. For us, it's about caring and valuing the possession. Those turn into big momentum shifts in a game when we are having some unforced turnovers."

How it Happened
Bernard drilled a step-back three at the 7:25 mark to open scoring for Loyola Chicago. The graduate student hit another three just moments later, helping Loyola build an 8-3 lead early. The Dukes battled back on an 14-4 stretch to lead Loyola by five points (17-22). Just before the end of the quarter, Rosalie Mercille found Thoranna Kika Hodge-Carr open on an inbound for an easy layup, trimming the deficit to three at the break.

The Ramblers took advantage of two early Duquesne turnovers at the start of the second quarter, converting them into five points and narrowing the Dukes' lead to 20-19 with 5:40 remaining in the half. Duquesne, which owned a 55-percent lip through the frame, regained control over the Maroon and Gold after scoring eight unanswered points. Audrey Deptula slowed the run with a 3-pointer at 3:22, but the Dukes scored six more points before the half ended. Jess Finney sunk Loyola's third three of the quarter before time expired, making the score 35-24, Duquesne.

Duquesne dominated the third quarter, outscoring Loyola Chicago 19-4 and extending its lead to 24 points (53-29) by the end of the period. The Ramblers responded with a historic fourth quarter which began with a 7-0 run to cut the deficit to 16 (59-43). Loyola continued to chip away, knocking down key field goals while limiting Duquesne to free throws. The Ramblers closed the game shooting 8-of-9 from the field and held the Dukes without a field goal for the final 3:30 of regulation, trimming the deficit to five. However, Duquesne held on to secure the win.

Notes

• Thanks in part to Loyola's National Girls and Women in Sports Day clinic prior to the game, the attendance of 1,663 was a program record for a non-Field Trip Day game.
• Loyola's 41 points in the fourth quarter are believed to be the most in a single quarter against a D-I foe.
• Bernard led Loyola Chicago with a career-best 25 points. She was 10-of-14 from the field and 5-of-8 from long range.
• Deptula came off the bench and delivered 14 points, one shy of tying her career-high.
• Sitori Tanin nearly had a double-double, posting 10 points and corralling seven rebounds.
• The Maroon and Gold outrebounded its opponent for the first time since Dec. 29, 2024, against St. Bonaventure.
• The team's 40 boards tied their third-most of the season in a single game.

Up Next
The Ramblers are next in action this Wednesday (Feb. 19) as the team heads to Massachusetts. Tip-off on ESPN+ is slated for 5 p.m. CT.