CHICAGO – The Loyola Chicago women's basketball team carried a 30-29 lead into halftime but could not hold off Dayton in the second half, falling 67-58 to the Flyers in the team's regular season home finale.
"Not a whole lot to say — Dayton earned this tonight," said Loyola Chicago Head Coach Allison Guth. "They out-rebounded us and moved the ball better. I thought we did a solid job forcing turnovers, but we couldn't throw it in Lake Michigan. We shot it extremely poorly. When we get 72 shots to their 53, you have to capitalize, and we didn't. We've got to be better. I expect more from this group, and I know they expect more from themselves."
The Ramblers (13-15, 9-8 Atlantic 10) placed two players in double figures, led by Alexus Mobley's game-high 22 points. Mobley added six rebounds and three steals. Alexa Kinas finished with 10 points and three steals, while Alex-Anne Bessette contributed eight points, two blocks and two steals.
Loyola controlled the offensive glass, grabbing 18 offensive rebounds that led to nine second-chance points. Brooklyn Vaughn paced the effort with four offensive boards. Defensively, the Ramblers recorded five blocks, including two from Bessette.
How it Happened
After falling behind 3-0, Loyola answered with a 5-0 run capped by a Mobley basket to take a 5-3 lead with 8:42 remaining in the first quarter. Dayton responded to move in front, and Loyola trailed 13-10 at the end of the opening period.
Dayton extended its lead to 27-17 in the second quarter before Loyola mounted a 10-0 run to tie the game at 27, highlighted by a Kendall Hendrix basket. The Ramblers closed the half on a 3-2 spurt to take a 30-29 advantage into the break. Loyola scored 14 of its 20 second-quarter points in the paint.
The Flyers opened the third quarter on a 5-0 run to regain the lead at 34-30. Loyola responded with a 9-0 burst, punctuated by a Mobley three-pointer, to move ahead 39-34 with 6:30 left in the period. Dayton answered once again and carried a 46-43 lead into the fourth quarter. Loyola hit three shots from beyond the arc in the third, accounting for nine of its 13 points in the frame.
Dayton pulled away in the final quarter, and Loyola was unable to draw closer than the final margin, 67-58. The Ramblers scored 10 of their 15 fourth-quarter points in the paint.
Game Notes
- Celebrating the program's annual Pink Game, 804 fans were in attendance — the highest turnout of the season outside of Field Trip Day and NGWSD.
- Loyola forced 22 Dayton turnovers while committing 12.
- The Ramblers recorded five blocked shots as a team.
- Loyola collected 18 offensive rebounds.
- Mobley's 22 points led all scorers, one shyof tying her season-high.
- Mobley also paced Loyola with six rebounds.
Up Next
The Ramblers will cap the regular season on the road at La Salle this Saturday (Feb. 28) at 12 p.m. CT.
