CHICAGO (November 22, 2022)
 
In Short…
Despite outscoring Miami (FL) in the second half, Loyola University Chicago (1-4) couldn't overcome its slow start in Tuesday's 63-45 setback to the Hurricanes (5-1) at Gentile Arena. Sophia Nolan reached double figures for the third straight outing, leading the Ramblers in scoring with 12 points on 5-of-9 (55.6%) shooting. Sitori Tanin finished a rebound shy of a double-double with 10 points and nine boards.
 
How It Happened
Both teams started cold from the field, going scoreless for nearly three minutes before a Haley Cavinder jumper put Miami on the board, 2-0.  Cavinder's bucket sparked a game-opening 17-0 run by the Hurricanes that was snapped by a Sam Galanopoulos score with 1:15 remaining, as the visitors carried a 20-4 lead into the second quarter.
 
Galanopoulos looked to spark Loyola early in the second frame, coming up with a steal on the defensive end before finishing following a nifty lead by Kira Chivers that trimmed the gap to 20-6 less than a minute in.  With the margin sitting at 22-8 after a Sitori Tanin layup with 7:30 remaining, the Ramblers went through another cold spell to close the first half and Miami took full advantage, stretching its lead to 34-11 at halftime.
 
Sophia Nolan drained Loyola's first three of the evening at the 8:41 mark of the third quarter, pulling Loyola within 36-16.  Nolan added an old-fashioned three-point play on the Ramblers' next trip down the floor, cutting the gap to 38-19.  The senior stayed hot, connecting on a mid-range jumper with 6:38 to go, sparking a 7-0 surge that included a trey from Maya Chandler, as Loyola continued to chip away, trimming the deficit to 40-26 after Tanin finished through contact.  Miami finished the frame on a high note, with Karla Erjavec beating the buzzer from outside to push the Hurricanes' lead to 49-32.
 
Galanopoulos got the scoring started for Loyola in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to 18 on a layup, which came in response to Miami's three to start the frame. That would end up as close as the Ramblers could get though, as the teams traded baskets over the final 10 minutes of play.
 
Inside The Box Score

• Loyola outscored Miami (FL) 34-29 in the second half
• Loyola recorded season highs in rebounds (35), steals (5) and blocks (4)
• Sophia Nolan is averaging over 14 points per game through the past three outings
• Chandler chipped in with eight points while Galanopoulos finished with seven points and three assists
• Kira Chivers also handed out a team-high three assists
• The Ramblers shot a season-low 31.6% overall from the field
• 10 of Loyola's 16 turnovers came in the first quarter
• The Ramblers forced 12 turnovers while limiting the Hurricanes to 46.8% shooting and 18.8% from beyond the arc
• Opponents are shooting 3 of 26 (11.5%) from three-point range at Gentile Arena this season
• Destiny Harden led the visitors with 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting, while Lola Pendande scored 10

Up Next
Loyola is back on the Gentile Arena hardwood on Friday, November 25 when it entertains Saint Francis (Pa.) in a 3 p.m. tip-off.