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- Registered: 7/22/2019
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GW versus Loyola University of Chicago Game (2) Thread
Next up: Loyola Chicago (LUC) Ramblers
Time: February 12,2025; 7 PM ET
Venue: Gentile Arena – Chicago, IL
2023-24 Record: 15-16 (8-10 in A10)
2025 Projection: 9th (tie)
Current Record: 11-13
OOC Record: 8-3
A10 Record: 3-10
Common OOC: None
Last Time Out: LUC won 67-63 in DC (1/5/2025)
Broadcast: ESPN+
Opponent Summary: GW travels to Illinois for a Wednesday evening matchup with Loyola University of Chicago. The Ramblers had a strong 8-3 OOC, but have stumbled in league play. In a close contest, the Ramblers defeated GW in the season’s first meeting between the teams at the Smith Center. Since that victory, Loyola has gone 1-8 in conference games, with their sole victory coming against St. Louis. In their latest contest on Sunday, Loyola fell to St. Joeseph’s on the road by a 38-point margin. Loyola is led by Duquesne graduate transfer Naelle Bernard who is averaging 9.8 ppg, while shooting 38.5% from the field (38% from 3-point range). The Ramblers have a balanced scoring attack, as the next 5 players in the rotation all contribute more than 6 ppg. Emma Theodorsson (9.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg) leads the way, followed by Jess Finney (7.7 ppg), Thoranna Kika Hodge-Carr (6.6 ppg), Kira Chivers (6.3 ppg), and Sitori Tanin (6.2 ppg. 4.4 rpg). As a team, LUC scores 58.8 ppg while allowing 63.6 ppg to their opponents. They shoot 38.7% from the field overall and 30.7% from beyond the arc. They have a respectable .8 assist-to-turnover ratio, while scoring 15.6 ppg off opponents’ turnovers.
About the game: This is another opportunity for GW to get some payback for a loss earlier in the season, but it will be difficult on the road. The difference in GW’s 4-point loss in the first contest was 14 missed free throws in 28 attempts. GW has been playing better of late, particularly on the defensive side. In the first Loyola game, the Revs did a great job of containing Bernard, limiting her to just a single point in the game, but the other 4 starters scored in double figures. This time the defense has to pay attention to the other starters as well. Also, in the last game, our bench outscored the Ramblers 27-12 and that type of effort is needed again for this contest as well. In recent games, the Revs have shown better patience on offense, resulting in some nice inside play, but have also made a number of rushed offensive moves that have resulted in turnovers or worked to the benefit of our opponents. Like Loyola, GW has also been able to spread around the scoring, with multiple players contributing to the offense. While Andrews and Reynolds take the lead, Mott has been effective inside and Engel and Calisto have made some key shots. Off the bench, Diala and Sims have had productive minutes and Lewis is capable of big games. To win a 3rd straight game, it’ll take all-hands on deck for GW, and equally as important, the Revs have to make free throws.
It would be great for WBB to return home with a 3-game win streak.
- xAC
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Re: GW versus Loyola University of Chicago Game (2) Thread
Final Result: GW starts out strong, hangs on to win 53-41 at Loyola Chicago.
Today’s starters: Andrews, Calisto, Engel, Mott and Reynolds. The Revs opened the game strong defensively and despite some missed opportunities took an early 7-4 lead at the 5:00 mark of the 1st quarter. Aided by some missed open shots by the Ramblers, GW’s defense stayed strong and held LUC scoreless in the last 5 minutes of the quarter, taking a 14-4 lead. Loyola’s offensive woes continued, but GW could not convert on offense, only increasing the lead to 21-8 with 4:25 left in the 1st half. The 2nd quarter ended up like the 1st, and the 14-4 GW led to a 28-8 edge going into the halftime break. Theodorsson led Loyola with 4 points. Andrews had 12 points for GW. Mott had 6 rebounds and 3 blocks for the Revs. To start the 2nd half, the Ramblers offense started to open up, but GW was able to keep pace, maintaining a 36-15 lead at the 4:51 media timeout. A couple of careless miscues let Loyola score the last 4 points of the quarter and cut the GW margin to 41-24 going into the 4th. LUC cut the lead to 14 early in the 4th quarter with a Bernard 3-pointer and the began to eat into the GW lead. But the Revs, despite making only a single field goal the rest of the way, held on to take a 53-41 victory. Finney led the Ramblers with 10 points. Mott was huge for GW, with 16 points, 12 boards, 3 blocks and 3 steals. Andrews and Reynolds also scored in double figures for GW, with 15 and 11 points, respectively.
The game was essentially decided in the 1st half, with Loyola’s inability to generate a consistent offense producing an insurmountable deficit to overcome. GW was fortunate because their performance could have easily led to a loss. The Revs only shot 32% from the field and were just 2-19 from beyond the arc. A lot of the 3-point attempts were questionable, and Andrews, who is only 4-35 on the year, shouldn’t be taking them. Engel (0-6), Reynolds (0-5), and Andrews (0-2) were scoreless from distance. GW also turned over the ball 16 times, with most of them coming in the second half when they were trying to protect a big lead. The bench only provided 6 points, compared to 26 for Loyola. Diala and Matthews did not play today, and only Lewis got substantial minutes. The defense was good in the 1st half, really making Loyola work hard for everything. The second half was a different story as Loyola gained more confidence as the game progressed—they just ran out of time. On the plus side, Mott was great today on both ends of the court. The team bounced back from their horrific free throw shooting performance at the Smith Center, hitting on 19-24 attempts. Lastly, this was a road win, and 3rd consecutive conference win.
A home date with the Dayton Flyers is up next. Hopefully everyone is available for this one.
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