Ramblers Offense Trample Minutewomen 64-52

The Loyola women’s basketball team defeated the Minutewomen of the University of Massachusetts 64-52 in Gentile Arena Feb. 21, ticking down the clock towards the Atlantic-10 conference tournament. 

Fourth-year forward Sitori Tanin led the charge for the Ramblers, recording 18 points and seven rebounds. Graduate guard and forward Ali Berg drew near to her season high with 16 points and five made 3-pointers. Third-year UMass guard Stefanie Kulesza led her team with 14 points.

The Minutewomen offense started off the night by winning the tip off and scoring a layup. Graduate guard Alyssa Fisher opened scoring for the Ramblers with a clean 3-pointer while, on the other end, graduate UMass guard Tori Hyduke responded with a three of their own. 

Tanin and third-year Minutewoman guard Kristen Williams traded jumpers before Berg was fouled on a layup attempt and added a point at the line. After two missed 3-pointer attempts by Berg, Hyduke made a three for the Minutewomen. 

Down by one at an official timeout, the Ramblers heated up their offense with a mid-range jumper by graduate guard Sam Galanopoulos, a 3-pointer from second-year guard Kira Chivers and layups by Tanin and Chivers to end the quarter ahead 17-12.

Kulesza opened the scoring in the second half for the Minutewomen, hitting a three to close the gap. Galanopoulos responded with a made layup and Chivers hit another 3-pointer, extending the Rambler lead to 24-15. 

Hyduke made a reverse layup before Berg drained another 3-pointer. Both teams went on a brief drought, trading multiple empty possessions until Berg broke through with another 3-pointer. 

Kulesza got the Minutewomen offense rolling with a three and Ferguson added a layup. Their momentum was halted as Berg connected on a three. The Ramblers went into halftime leading the Minutewomen 33-22. 

First-year UMass center Chinenye Odenigbo opened the scoring in the third quarter with a layup, and Tanin answered with one of her own. A jumper from Galanopoulos was made and Taulelei replied with a three before a 3-second violation was called on Loyola. 

Berg made another three before another series of missed attempts came from both teams. Fisher broke the drought by making two at the free-throw line after being fouled by Kulesza. 

UMass answered with four more points before a timeout was called on the floor, with the Ramblers still leading 42-31. 

Berg hit her final three of the night and Galanopoulos added another point at the line. Tanin made a turnaround jumper before Taulelei was fouled in the process of making a shot and converted on the point after. The Minutewomen ended the third quarter with Williams shooting three attempts at the line, but they still didn’t come close to the Ramblers who led 49-36. 

Taulelei and fourth-year forward Aaliyah Moore traded layups to start the final quarter before second-year guard Mallory Ramage added one at the line. 

Both Ramage and Kulesza forced steals before Kulesza made a 3-pointer when an official timeout was called with Loyola leading 54-41. 

Tanin and Williams each scored a layup before another timeout was called by the Minutewomen. Out of the timeout, Tanin made two free throws. Then, Kulesza and Tanin traded made shots, including a three from Kulesza. 

A last-chance attempt by the Minutewomen occurred when Williams was sent to the line and Hyduke sent the ball into the net, but it wasn’t enough as Chivers ran out the clock securing the 64-52 win for the Ramblers. 

Head coach Allison Guth had nothing but praise for both teams’ playing post-game and complimented the teamwork the Ramblers showed on the court. 

“It was because we had interior presence to get that ball inside and out with some movement,” Guth said. “When you come away from the game with 19 assists, that’s a good night for you.” 

The Ramblers have one more conference game at George Washington University Saturday, March 2, before heading to Henrico, Virginia for the Atlantic-10 conference tournament. Tip-off at George Washington is scheduled for 1 p.m. and can be streamed on ESPN+. 

Featured image by Aidan Cahill | The Phoenix