NEW YORK CITY – The Loyola University Chicago women's basketball team overcame a slow start to win its third straight game as the Ramblers took down Fordham, 73-64, at Rose Hill Gym Wednesday night. Ali Berg scored 18 points and snagged three steals for two new career-highs. Sam Galanopoulos led Loyola with 20 points while Alyssa Fisher, who dished out a career high six assists, was the third Rambler in double figures with 15 points.  

"Unbelievably tough and gritty win tonight," said Loyola Chicago head coach Allison Guth. "Proud of our Ramblers for the way they competed through adversity. When we were all tied up at 30 at half, we felt like we'd been given a gift to actually come out in the third and fourth and execute our game plan on both ends with a little bit more intentionality. I think the rebounding effort by Ali Berg's six rebounds were really big time boards against a physical presence inside."

How it Happened
After Fisher drained a three from Galanopoulos for the Maroon and Gold's first points, Fordham (6-13, 1-7 A10) used a 9-0 run to take a 11-3 lead over Loyola Chicago (11-8, 5-3 A10) in the first quarter. A pair of layups from Ali Berg and Galanopoulos cut Loyola's deficit to 15-10.

In the second quarter, the 'Blers found their offensive rhythm and cut the Ram's lead to two points (23-21) after an 11-4 run. Sitori Tanin muscled her way to the cup at the 2:23 mark, made the layup, and drew the and-one foul to make it a one-point affair at 25-24, FU. Galanopoulos and Berg drilled a pair of 3-pointers to tie the ballgame as the halftime horn sounded. Outscoring Fordham 20-13, Loyola shot the ball at a 58-percent clip through the frame and was 3-4 from long range.

The Ramblers helped themselves to its largest lead thus far (42-37) in the third frame after Fisher drained a layup and a three, capping a 12-3 Loyola run. But the Rams regained control after ending the quarter on a 12-3 run of their own. Loyola trailed, 49-45, heading into the final quarter.

With seven lead changes throughout the final 10 minutes, the two teams traded blow after blow. With the game tied at 60-60 and under four minutes to play, the Ramblers, sparked by Tanin's layup from Fisher, exploded on an 8-0 run to take command of the contest. The Ramblers sunk four free throws on two trips to the charity stripe, giving them a 68-60 edge with 1:21 on the clock. Fordham made a three in the final minute, but it wasn't enough as Loyola held on to win it, 73-64.

Notes

• The Ramblers made 47-percent (24-51) of their shots from the field and were 10-19 (53-percent) from deep – their third-best clip of the season. Loyola was 15-18 (83-percent) at the line.
• Galanopoulos has scored 20 points in two of Loyola's last three games. It's her sixth game north of 20 this season.
• Berg broke her previous career-high (16 points) after scoring 18. She totaled a game-high three steals for a new career-high.
• Tanin brought down a game-high nine rebounds and scored nine points, sniffing a double-double.

Up Next
The Ramblers continue their two-game road swing this Sunday (Jan. 28) as the team takes on Duquesne. Tip-off from Pittsburgh is set for 1 p.m. CT with the game streaming live on ESPN+.