KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Eight Ramblers scored five or more points in Loyola Chicago's 57-46 win at Western Michigan Saturday afternoon. Additionally, Loyola recorded a season-low 13 turnovers, showcasing strong ball control on their way to victory at Read Fieldhouse in Kalamazoo.

"The story for us today was about challenging our team at halftime with leveling up our competitiveness and energy," said Loyola Chicago Head Coach Allison Guth. "We tracked 35 potential assists through the game. This offense is working. We just have to put the ball in basket. We found a way to have equal opportunity offense from our players today."

How it Happened
The Broncos started things off with two made field goals before Sitori Tanin scored Loyola's first basket at the 6:35 mark. The graduate student, who eclipsed 1,000-career points in Loyola's previous matchup vs. La Salle, turned in a steal-and-score for LUC's first points. WMU, who was 42-percent (5-of-12) from the field in the first quarter, outscored Loyola, 13-7, through the first 10 minutes.

Loyola improved its shooting percentage from 17% in the first quarter to 42% in the second, starting the frame with an 8-0 run to claim its first lead of the game. During the run, Kendall Hendrix snagged a critical offensive rebound before draining a three in the corner for the second-chance trey.

The Ramblers led by as many as five in the second quarter, but WMU went on a 7-0 run to regain the lead with 30 seconds left. Emma Theodorsson connected on a jumper to send LUC into the locker room tied, 23-23, with Western Michigan.

Coming out of the break, Naelle Bernard sunk a three-pointer from Kira Chivers after Theodorsson snagged a steal on the other end to kick things off. Throughout the frame, the game was tied five times, including after Rosalie Mercille's crucial three-pointer at 1:58 to level the game, 37-37. After the make, Loyola cashed in five more points to lead it, 42-38, heading into the final 10 minutes.

After Chivers and Brooklyn Vaughn scored layups to start the fourth quarter, the Ramblers gathered three more points at the charity stripe to take its largest lead of the game (nine points) up to that point at 49-40. From there, Loyola Chicago was effective at the charity stripe, making seven free throws through the quarter to seal the 57-46 win.

Notes

• Loyola was 37-percent (21-of-57) from the field while limiting Western to a 27-percent (13-of-48) clip.
• Chivers led Loyola with 11 points on 4-of-10 shooting.
• Theodorsson was close behind with eight points and eight rebounds, a season-high on the glass.
• Hodge-Carr also scored eight points, only shy of a season-best.
• Hendrix notched a season-high five points.  

Up Next
The Ramblers have a well-deserved break before action ramps back up Tuesday, Dec. 17 vs. Chicago State. Tip-off at Gentile Arena is set for 11 a.m. CT on Marquee Network. Admission is free for the game!