1 of 1- xAC
- Buff & Blue Club
Offline - From: Alabama
- Registered: 7/22/2019
- Posts: 572
GW versus Loyola University of Chicago Game (1) Thread
Next up: Loyola University of Chicago (LUC) Ramblers
Time: January 5,2025; 12 PM ET
Venue: Charles E Smith Center – Washington, DC
2023-24 Record: 15-16 (8-10 in A10)
2025 Projection: 9th (tie)
Current Record: 9-5
OOC Record: 8-3
A10 Record: 1-2
Common OOC: None
Last Time Out: 50-43 loss to GW in 2023-24 (at GW)
Broadcast: ESPN+
Opponent Summary: The Loyola Chicago Ramblers visit the Smith Center on Sunday for the first of a pair of A10 conference matchups this season between the teams. After a relatively successful OOC, the Ramblers come into this contest at 1-2 in the A10, with a win over St. Bonaventure and losses to Dayton and La Salle. In this past Thursday’s loss to Dayton, the Ramblers could only manage single digit scoring in the first 2 quarters and took a 38-point beating from the Flyers. Loyola is led by Duquesne graduate transfer Naelle Bernard who is averaging 10.9 ppg, while shooting 42.7% from the field (38.7% from 3-point range). The other four starters, Jess Finney (8.6 ppg); Emma Theodorsson (8.9 ppg, 4.8 rpg); Kira Chivers (8.2 ppg); and Sitori Tanin (7.9 ppg. 4.4 rpg), are all scoring threats capable of big games. As a team, LUC scores 63.5 ppg while allowing 59.4 ppg to their opponents. They shoot 41.3% from the field overall and 31.5% from beyond the arc. They have a respectable .9 assist-to-turnover ratio, while scoring 18 ppg off opponents’ turnovers.
About the game: Like many of the lower tier A10 teams, GW and Loyola can have good and bad days. Neither team can rely on individual performances to consistently win games. The Dayton loss was an example of a “bad” day for Loyola. The Ramblers could only manage 13 field goals in the entire game and was dominated by Dayton’s inside play (36-12 advantage in points-in-the-paint). Dayton was able to hold Bernard in check and no one stepped up to fill the void. For GW to have a “good” day, the Revs have to continue to exercise good ball movement and attack inside the paint, get scoring contributions from multiple players, and defend the perimeter to limit Loyola 3-point attempts. Individually, Mott needs to stay active inside, take good shots and pass off on the double teams. The others (Andrews, Engel, Lewis, and Matthews) should focus on taking better shots and refrain from taking 3-pointers with time on the shot clock. Engel could really benefit by taking more shots inside the arc, especially in the 10-foot range. Reynolds has been playing under control with good results and should continue to do so. The rest of the bench (the healthy players among Calisto, Loving, Parnell, Planes Fortuny, Sierra-Vargas and Sims), needs to continue contribute positive minutes throughout the game. It would be great to see some of the injured players return to action, but hopefully not at the expense of the improving team chemistry.
GW is at home and hoping to start 2025 off on a high note, but Loyola will be determined to make amends for a disastrous performance at Dayton earlier this week. Who will have a “good” day?
- xAC
- Buff & Blue Club
Offline
- From: Alabama
- Registered: 7/22/2019
- Posts: 572
Re: GW versus Loyola University of Chicago Game (1) Thread
Final Result: GW falls in final moments to Loyola Chicago, losing 67-63.
The starting lineup for today: Andrews, Engel, Lewis, Matthews, and Mott. Despite a slow start resulting from questionable attempts from beyond the arc, GW managed to score some inside baskets to stay with a basket of the Ramblers at 8-6 deficit with 4:58 left in the 1st quarter. After the media timeout, both teams settled down offensively for the final minutes of the period and Loyola held on to a 16-14 advantage to end the period. A Reynolds spurt to start the 2nd quarter staked GW to a 26-22 lead and forced a Loyola timeout at the 5:10 mark. After the timeout, GW went stone cold and a 10-0 run propelled Loyola to a 32-26 lead before GW closed out the quarter with 3 free throws to cut the halftime lead to 32-29. Reynolds led the Revs with 12 points. For Loyola, Theodorsson had 9 points followed by Thoranna Kika Hodge-Carr with 8 points. Both teams came out of the gate fast to start the second half, and after the first five minutes of play, GW trailed 42-41 with 4:07 left in the 3rd quarter. Continued back and forth action resulted in a 48-48 tie going into the final period. GW struggles in the 4th helped Loyola take a 57-55 lead into the media timeout at 4:59. After the timeout, the Revs did not help themselves, taking some ill-advised shots, missing critical free throws, and also committing numerous fouls that sent Ramblers to the line. to help take the lead. The miscues were too difficult to overcome and GW goes down to a 67-63 defeat. GW was led by Andrews and Reynolds who had 18 and 17 points, respectively. Loyola had a balanced attack, with Kika Hodge-Carr (15 points), Theodorsson (14 points), Chivers (13 points), and Finney (12 points) all joining in the action.
Making just 14-28 on free throws was the Revs undoing in this contest. There were other areas where their performance was marginal, but making only 50% on free throws in a game where 57 personal fouls were called will be fatal most of the time. Reynolds had another very solid game and although Andrews led the team in scoring, she made some critical errors at the end of the game. Outside of Andrews, the starters were unproductive (7-21 from the field and 8 turnovers), although Lewis had a good day on the boards with 9 rebounds. Outside of Reynolds, the bench was unremarkable. The Revs defense was adequate, but credit the Ramblers for spreading the scoring around, primarily with good offensive movement. It was good to see Sims, Diala and Calisto back in the lineup, but Planes Fortuny, Sierra Vargas, and Parnell (?) were unavailable today.
GW has a tough road game at Fordham coming up midweek and needs to straighten a few things out to make it a game. In a game like this, free throws could make a difference.
Last edited by xAC (1/05/2025 4:41 pm)
- •
Thread Starter- dmvpiranha
- Moderator
Offline
- Registered: 7/23/2019
- Posts: 1,368
Re: GW versus Loyola University of Chicago Game (1) Thread
I can find some moral victories after every game that WBB plays, but at some point the team has to win the games that they should win like today at home against a bad Loyola squad. Bad teams find ways to lose. 14/28 on FTs as xAC mentioned is unacceptable. Andrews going 6/11 seems uncharacteristic. Hitting 60 points is good and players are taking better shots (although still missing plenty of layups). But giving up 67 to Loyola? I thought defense was a strength of McCombs. The analytics say that this team isn't even average on that end either. WBB never turns anyone over. GW had 18 turnovers to just 7 assists. Early on in the second quarter, GW was three on one on the fast break yet somehow managed to commit an offensive foul. Lewis should probably not be taking too many jump shots. I like her driving ability a lot but her shot is so flat the jumpers have little chance of going in.
I'm glad Byron asked McCombs about the final 30 seconds when GW was playing catch up after the game. Reynolds has been shooting the ball well the past couple games, but there was no need to take a three with 20 seconds left in the game down 3. You can advance the ball in WBB making that amount of time an eternity. Somehow, the following possession out of a timeout was even worse. Andrews dribbling at the top for several seconds before jacking up a terrible shot. McCombs can't control all the missed FTs (although she can recruit better FT shooters) but it's possessions like that which make me question whether she is the solution moving forward.
There's still plenty of winnable games on the horizon. Whether WBB can take advantage of that remains to be seen.