Jan. 28, 2006

Box Score

CHICAGO - Loyola could not overcome 12 three-pointers from Detroit, nine in the first half, as the visiting Titans claimed a 78-57 win over the Ramblers this afternoon at the Gentile Center. The loss snaps Loyola's modest two-game winning streak and sends the team to 3-17 (3-6 Horizon). Detroit improves to 9-11 (6-3) with the win.

A Lindsey Pasquinzo triple on the first possession proved to be an ominous omen as Detroit raced out to a 10-1 lead after three minutes. Loyola finally settled in and hoops from Jenna Real and Marquise Hanser trimmed the deficit to five, 12-7, after seven minutes. For the Ramblers, the rest of the half was a parade to the free throw line, with Detroit's full-court press the contributing factor. A pair of Mandy Mennella free throws helped LU cut a 14-point deficit down to 10 (25-15) with 6:26 showing on the clock but eight straight UDM points, capped by consecutive three-pointers from Pasquinzo and Caitie Goddard, gave the visitors a commanding 33-15 lead with just under five minutes left. The Ramblers did not quit, scoring the next eight, six on Hanser free throws, to get it back to 10 before Katie Solner and Pasquinzo connected from deep and helped Detroit take a 42-28 lead into the locker room. Nine of Detroit's 15 first-half field goals came from behind the arc while Loyola hit just 5-of-17 from the floor but hit 18-of-25 from the stripe.

Pasquinzo opened the second half the same way she did the first, with a three-ball, and Loyola faced an uphill battle the rest of the way. Hanser pulled LU within 14 on two occasions but Goddard answered with yet another triple and Detroit was able to cruise from there.

Hanser finished 7-of-15 from the floor and a perfect 9-of-9 from the line for her 25 points. Real pitched in with 17 points and seven rebounds (6-7 FGs, 5-6 FTs) while Emily Ponder finished with six points and a career-best 12 rebounds. Pasquinzo hit 5-of-6 from beyond the arc and finished with a team-high 17 points to lead Detroit.

Loyola has a full week to rest and closes out its four-game homestand next Saturday against Illinois-Chicago.