Dec. 20, 2007

Box Score

Ft. Myers, Fla. - Sophomore Elyse VanBogaert pumped in a career-best 26 points to lead four Ramblers in double figures but Memphis outscored Loyola 27-14 from the foul line to earn an 86-79 win in the opening game of the Florida Gulf Coast Holiday Classic in Ft. Myers, Fla. Loyola will face either Florida Gulf Coast or Texas-Pan American in tomorrow's consolation game.

Memphis took advantage of a six-minute LU scoring drought in the first half, reeling off 13 straight points to take a 22-14 lead. VanBogaert converted a three-point play inside to stem the tide and the Ramblers battled right back, using three-pointers from Jessica Hylton and Maggie McCloskey to draw even at 24 at the 7:07 mark. Neither team was able to gain any breathing room the rest of the way and, after a pair of Keisha Collins free throws gave LU a one-point lead, Memphis' LaToya Bullard hit a running jumper at the buzzer to give the Lady Tigers a 39-38 halftime lead.

A hot start helped Memphis extend back to a 10-point lead but the Ramblers, again, roared back behind VanBogaert and McCloskey, who poured in a season-best 21 points on seven three-pointers. The Ramblers had a couple good chances trailing by five (79-74) with under two minutes to play but could not find the range and the Lady Tigers hit enough free throws (5-of-8) to ice the game.

VanBogaert finished 10-of-13 from the floor and hit all six of her free throws en route to her 26 points. McCloskey, whose first trey of the night was the 100th of her career, finished 7-of-11 from the arc. They were joined in double figures by Collins, who had an excellent all-around game of 15 points, six rebounds and seven assists, and Hylton (10 points).