CHICAGO – Sycamore women's basketball was unable to overcome a strong defensive effort from Loyola Chicago on Saturday afternoon, falling to the Ramblers in Chicago, 59-52 and splitting the regular season series.
 
Behind 20 forced turnovers, 16 points-off-turnovers and seven steals, Loyola improved to 3-3 (1-1) on the year while Indiana State fell to 4-3 (1-1).
 
Both teams struggled offensively throughout the game, with ISU ending the contest shooting just 18-of-48 (37.5%) from the floor and 6-of-23 (26.1%) from three-point range, while the Ramblers shot 19-of-56 (33.9%) from the field and 5-of-19 (26.3%) from deep.
 
Sophomore Adrian Folks once again led the way for the Trees on Saturday, finishing as the only Sycamore in double-digit scoring with 11 points to go along with six boards. Marie Hunter contributed eight points and four rebounds while Jamyra McChristine pulled down five rebounds. Loyola, however, ended the day with the advantage on the glass, 36-35.
 
For the opposition, Allison Day recorded 12 points and six rebounds and was helped by Anna Brown who contributed 12 points and four rebounds.
 
Finding themselves in a close battle for a majority of the game, Indiana State sat in the lead, 40-36, with 3:46 left in the third quarter following a layup from Folks off of a dime from McChristine. The Ramblers responded with an 8-0 run of their own to take a 44-40 advantage heading into the final frame.
 
The Rambler offensive onslaught would continue up to the 6:38 point of the fourth quarter, with Loyola managing to extend their lead to 52-44. The Blue & White would responded with a 6-0 run of their own, helped by back-to-back buckets by Sommer Pitzer to pull back within 52-50 with 3:00 remaining. Two is as close as the Sycamores would get, however, as Loyola pulled away at the end with a 7-2 run for the 59-52 victory.
 
Indiana State returns home this week for a series with Illinois State from Thurs., Jan. 7-Fri., Jan. 8. Tip-off for both games is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET.
 
 
- #MarchOn -