WASHINGTON - Behind a season-high 19 points from Alexus Mobley and a dominant defensive fourth quarter, the Loyola Chicago women's basketball team rallied past George Washington for a 53-48 Atlantic 10 road victory Saturday at the Charles E. Smith Center.

Loyola Chicago (7-11, 3-4 A-10) trailed 38-35 entering the fourth quarter before outscoring the Revolutionaries (10-10, 2-5 A-10) 18-10 over the final 10 minutes. The Ramblers forced 17 turnovers and held George Washington to just 11.1 percent shooting from 3-point range (2 of 18).

Mobley added five rebounds, two blocks and two offensive boards, helping Loyola Chicago generate 12 second-chance points. Rosalie Mercille scored 11 points off the bench, including a key 3-pointer late in the third quarter, while Alexa Kinas finished with three points and a career-high seven steals and two blocks.

"This was a total team effort," said Loyola Chicago Head Coach Allison Guth. "It was so cool to see so many people step up. The tone was set early by Alexus Mobley being a scoring threat off the bounce and in the paint. In my opinion, it was the best game we've had from Rosalie Mercille all season. We only had 12 turnovers, a season-low. Overall, it was a great team effort in this big win."  

Loyola Chicago shot 36 percent from the field (17 of 47), but made its impact in transition and on the glass, scoring 10 fast-break points and 22 points in the paint.

How it Happened
Loyola Chicago set the tone early, opening the game on an 11-2 run midway through the first quarter and holding George Washington to just six points in the period. Mobley scored five early points as the Ramblers took a 15-6 lead after one.

The Revolutionaries responded in the second quarter, outscoring Loyola Chicago 21-12 to erase the deficit and tie the game 27-27 at halftime.

After the break, George Washington extended its lead to as many as eight points and took a 38-30 advantage midway through the third. Loyola Chicago answered with a late 5-0 run, capped by Mercille's 3-pointer, to cut the deficit to 38-35 entering the fourth.

George Washington pushed the lead to 42-38 early in the final quarter, but the Ramblers responded with a decisive 5-0 run to take a 43-42 lead with 7:03 remaining. Loyola Chicago never trailed again, forcing seven turnovers in the quarter and scoring seven points off those takeaways to seal the win.

The Ramblers closed the game at the free-throw line and capped the defensive effort by blocking a potential game-tying 3-pointer as time expired.

Game Notes

• Loyola Chicago held George Washington to 40 percent shooting overall and 11.1-percent shooting from beyond the arc.
• The Ramblers forced 17 turnovers and recorded nine steals.
• Kinas finished with a career-high seven steals.
• Mobley scored a season-high 17 points for LUC.
• The Ramblers have now won three of their last four games.

Up Next
Loyola returns to action this Wednesday (Jan. 21) vs. La Salle. Tip-off at Gentile Arena is set for 6 p.m.