Feb. 17, 2007

Box Score

CHICAGO - The Loyola University Chicago women's basketball team shot 48 percent from the field but still lost to Illinois-Chicago, 72-63 on Saturday at the UIC Pavilion. The Ramblers dropped to 6-18 on the season with a 4-9 mark in Horizon League play while the Flames improved to 17-9 and 10-3 in the league with their school-record 10th consecutive win.

Loyola shot the ball well throughout the game, holding a .483-.324 edge in shooting over UIC but could not overcome the Flames' advantage at the free throw line. UIC converted 23 of 30 free throws while Loyola only attempted 15, making 11.

The Rambler offense was led by solid play in the back court with freshman guard Maggie McClsokey scoring 13 points and distributing three assists while senior Marquise Hanser scored 12 points and collected seven rebounds.

Loyola forward Elyse VanBogaert tied for game-high honors with eight rebounds. VanBogaert also scored nine points while connecting on 3-of-6 shots from the floor and making 3-of-4 shots from the foul line.

The Ramblers led by as many as seven points in the first half, including at 19-12 with 11:11 remaining. Four Hanser jumpers highlighted Loyola's impressive start before UIC quickly answered with a 9-2 run to tie the game at 21. A Jenna Real layup and three-pointer by McCloskey on consecutive possessions gave Loyola a five-point advantage heading into the final media timeout. The Flames went on a 8-2 run to close the half and gain a 31-30 lead. Hanser went 5-of-10 from the field with a team-high 10 points in the first half.

Action was tight throughout the second half with score tied at 58 at the 6:24 mark until UIC broke the game open with a 10-3 spurt to gain a 68-61 advantage with 3:37 remaining. Loyola would never really threaten again and the Ramblers only scored once more on a layup by Jessica Hylton. McCloskey led the Ramblers in the second period with seven points while Hanser hustled on the boards for a team-leading five rebounds.

LaShonda Grant took game-high honors with 26 points to lead the Flames while two others were in double-figures, as Jacquay Holmes scored 17 while Ashley Hluska had 11 along with eight rebounds.

Loyola continues Horizon League play at 6 p.m. on Thursday at Detroit.