Jan. 20, 2007

Box Score

CHICAGO - Visiting Illinois-Chicago hit 10-of-11 field goals in a 21-0 run late in the second half to break open a tie game in an eventual 74-57 win over Loyola this afternoon at the Gentile Center. Loyola falls to 4-14 (2-5 Horizon) with the loss while the Flames improve to 10-9 (4-3).

After a lethargic first half that saw Loyola trail by five at halftime, the Ramblers pulled it together to start the second half. Three different times Loyola was able to pull within a point only to see the Flames respond with a basket to keep the Ramblers at bay. However, trailing by seven at the 11:38 mark, Loyola made its move. A Marquise Hanser three-pointer got it started and, after a Nicole Rinaldi hoop made it a six-point game, Hanser hit a pair from the line and scored again on the break to tie the game at 46 with 9:38 to play. UIC managed to open a three-point lead after that but a three-point play from Jenna Real tied it again at 51 with just under eight minutes to go. It was all UIC from there, as a pair of LaShonda Grant hoops got the run started and the Flames stayed hot while the Ramblers went four minutes without a hoop.

Hanser finished with 20 points to lead the Ramblers, who shot just .365 from the floor for the game. Jacquay Holmes poured in a game-high 21 points and added eight boards to lead UIC.

Loyola returns to action next weekend, closing out the first half of its Horizon League schedule with a Saturday matinee (Jan. 27) against Detroit. Tip-off from the Gentile Center is set for 12:30 p.m.