PHILADELPHIA – The Loyola University Chicago women's basketball team was upended, 83-45, by Saint Joseph's Sunday at Hagan Arena. Naelle Bernard led the Ramblers' efforts with a 12-point performance while Sitori Tanin neared a double-double, scoring 10 and grabbing seven rebounds.

"Saint Joe's played an almost perfect basketball game, and Laura Ziegler—one of the most talented post players and skilled scoring point forwards I've seen in a long time—dropped 43 points on us," said Loyola Chicago Head Coach Allison Guth. "We threw everything but the kitchen sink at this—face-guarding, sending double teams, trying to three-quarter deny, playing some zone, and switching to man defense—but no matter what we did, we simply didn't have an answer for the talent we faced tonight."

How it Happened
Loyola Chicago (11-13, 3-10 Atlantic 10) weathered an 8-0 run from the Hawks to start things off as Bernard sunk a triple to halt SJU's momentum. Bernard's 3-pointer ignited a 12-4 LUC run, tying the score at 12-12 after Emma Theodorsson sank two free throws midway through the first quarter. Saint Joseph's ended the frame on an 11-0 run to make the score 23-12 heading into the next 10 minutes.

Tanin executed a terrific hook shot to begin the second quarter, however, that would be Loyola's only made field goal for the next six and a half minutes. Saint Joseph's ballooned its lead to 23 points (37-14) at the media timeout after going on a 14-0 run. Alexa Kinas stalled the run, grabbing a steal under Loyola's hoop and turning it into two points at the 3:14 mark. Thoranna Kika Hodge-Carr connected on a layup during the final minute, but Saint Joseph's led the 'Blers, 46-18, at halftime.  

Loyola's offense found some rhythm in the third quarter, matching SJU's offensive output, 15-15, at the media timeout. Bernard hit two threes while Hodge-Carr completed a hoop-and-harm layup to make the score 61-33, SJU, at 4:04. Tanin followed with a turnaround jumper, marking a 10-3 Loyola stretch.  The Hawks made two free throws to end the quarter, up 68-38.

In the fourth and final quarter, Saint Joseph's (20-4, 11-2 Atlantic 10) inflated its lead to 83-40 before Rosalie Mercille and Tanin combined for five points in the final minute of play. When the dust settled, SJU won, 83-45.

Notes

• Loyola's bench was equal with the Hawks', scoring 16 points.
• The Ramblers led, 6-4, in second-chance points.
• Bernard led Loyola for the second-straight game, scoring 12 points.
• Tanin was close behind with 10 points and seven rebounds.
• Loyola led in offensive rebounds, 7-4.
• The Maroon and Gold fired off 57 shots while SJU had 55.

Up Next
The Ramblers return to the friendly confines of Gentile Arena this Wednesday (Feb. 12) for a bout with George Washington. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. on ESPN+.