ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. - Loyola Chicago erased a five-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat Saint Bonaventure, 58-55, on Saturday afternoon at the Reilly Center.
"Today was a tale of different quarters — a little Jekyll and Hyde," said Loyola Chicago Head Coach Allison Guth. "I loved how we started the game. We scored 17 points, held them to 10 and were locked in defensively. Then the script flipped in the second quarter. We didn't score for about six minutes and ended up tied 10-10 in the period, so we still carried a lead into halftime. But the third quarter belonged to St. Bonaventure. That hasn't typically been who we are this season."
The Ramblers (13-14, 9-7 Atlantic 10) earned their first-ever road win at St. Bonaventure behind a career-high 21 points from Alexa Kinas. The sophomore added six rebounds and four offensive boards. Alexus Mobley chipped in 13 points and two steals, while Alex-Anne Bessette totaled five points, six rebounds, two steals and two blocks.
Loyola held the Bonnies to 34 percent (18-for-53) overall and 23.1 percent (3-for-13) from long distance. The Ramblers also limited Saint Bonaventure to 16-for-21 shooting at the free-throw line.
Loyola controlled the glass with a 38-37 rebounding edge, including 11 offensive boards that led to 10 second-chance points. The Ramblers also forced 16 turnovers and converted them into 13 points.
How it Happened
Loyola opened the game on a 7-0 run midway through the first quarter, capped by a 3-pointer from Rosalie Mercille, to take a 13-2 lead. The Ramblers knocked down three 3-pointers in the period and led 17-10 after one.
Saint Bonaventure rallied in the second quarter to grab a 20-19 advantage before Loyola responded with an 8-0 run over the final 2:46 of the half. A basket from Kinas helped key the surge, and the Ramblers carried a 27-20 lead into intermission. Loyola outscored the Bonnies 16-10 in the paint during the opening half.
The Bonnies used a 20-point third quarter to claim a 40-36 lead entering the fourth.
Loyola trimmed the deficit to 49-48 before putting together a decisive 6-0 run, capped by a Mobley jumper, to move in front 54-49 with 2:02 remaining. The Ramblers made nine free throws in the final quarter and capitalized on seven Saint Bonaventure turnovers in the period to secure the win.
Game Notes
- Loyola notched its first-ever win at St. Bonaventure.
- The team's nine conference wins are the most of the Guth era.
- The Ramblers rallied from a 40-36 deficit entering the fourth quarter.
- Loyola shot 43.1 percent from the field and held the Bonnies to 34 percent shooting.
- The Ramblers forced 16 turnovers and scored 13 points off takeaways.
- Loyola owned a 38-37 rebounding edge and grabbed 11 offensive boards.
- The Ramblers recorded 38 rebounds, their fourth-highest single-game total this season.
- Kinas scored a career-high 21 points to lead all players.
- Bessette and Kinas each pulled down six rebounds.
- Chivers logged a season-high five rebounds.
Up Next
Loyola Chicago plays its home finale this Wednesday (Feb. 25) vs. Dayton at 6 p.m.
