RICHOMND, Va. – Loyola Chicago logged its first-ever win over VCU and snapped an eight-game skid, beating the Rams, 52-50, on the road Wednesday night at the Siegel Center. Emma Theodorsson powered the Maroon and Gold's attack, scoring 22 points for her second 20-plus point performance of the season.

"The game was all about leadership—Emma Theodorsson was fantastic, dropping 22 points," said Loyola Chicago Head Coach Allison Guth. "Sitori Tanin also stepped up, grabbing five boards and making a crucial defensive stop in the final moments to deny VCU a chance at overtime,"

How it Happened
VCU scored the first five points of the ballgame before a trio of Ramblers, including Kira Chivers who sunk a three-pointer, combined for an 8-3 run to make it a one-point game (8-7) at the media timeout. Neither team scored a basket for nearly a three-minute stretch until Roisin Grandberry made two at the end of the quarter, giving LUC a 13-12 lead heading into the second frame.

Loyola took command of the second quarter on 7-of-12 shooting (58-percent), including three treys. The 'Blers took their first lead of the day with 5:23 to go in the half as Sitori Tanin connected on a layup from Naelle Bernard. LUC scored the ensuing eight to build an 11-point advantage (27-16) over VCU. The Rams answered back with a brief 3-0 spurt, but Audrey Deptula kept LUC's momentum going into halftime with her second triple with 14 seconds left.

The Rams opened the second half with a trey, but Theodorsson got Loyola back on track, following with an and-one bucket at 8:15. The junior followed with another bucket, scoring off a VCU turnover to give Loyola Chicago a 35-26 edge. The Rams gradually fought their way back into the game, holding Loyola without a field goal until the fourth quarter. However, the Maroon and Gold remained efficient at the free-throw line, sinking nine shots before the end of the third quarter.

The fourth quarter turned into a defensive showdown, with the Ramblers holding the hosts to just two field goals throughout the frame. With 4:28 left in regulation, Tanin capitalized on a second-chance opportunity, sinking a jumper to give Loyola a 48-45 lead. After VCU tied the game at 50-50 with a three-pointer, Bernard launched a deep pass to Kira Chivers, who knocked down a go-ahead jumper just inside the arc, electrifying the Ramblers' bench. Loyola's defense stepped up in the final moments, forcing a miss on VCU's last possession to secure a 52-50 victory.

Notes

• Loyola inked its first win over VCU. The Ramblers now trail 1-3 all-time vs. the Rams.
• The win snapped an eight-game losing streak, building momentum as March quickly approaches.
• Theodorsson led with a game-high 22 points. She gathered five rebounds as well.
• Tanin added 11 points with five rebounds.
• Deptula delivered eight points off the bench and collected four rebounds.
• Loyola held a 24-14 edge in paint points.
• The win marked Loyola's fourth win of the season when shooting below 40-percent (38-percent tonight).

Up Next
The Ramblers cap off the regular season this Saturday (March 1) at home versus Saint Louis. Tip-off on Senior Day and Alumni Day is slated for 2 p.m. CT with the game streaming live on ESPN+.