The Braves were looking to bounce back after an OT loss against Kansas City, but they were in for a tough battle against Loyola Chicago.
1st Half
Familiar foes Bradley and Loyola Chicago hit the court in the Windy City for the first time after the Ramblers departure from the MVC. The Braves dropped both games against the Ramblers last year and were looking to bounce back. Things were looking good for Bradley. They ended the first quarter up 16-8 after a 9-0 run in the first quarter set them off running.
Alex Rouse,
Caroline Waite and
Daija Powell were pillars for the Braves in the first half, pulling down rebounds and consistently scoring to keep the pressure on the Ramblers. Bradley finished the half shooting 50% from the floor while holding Loyola to just 31% on field goals. The Braves also outrebounded the Ramblers 20-10. They led 30-19 going into halftime.
2nd Half
The third quarter showed a bit of change for both teams. Bradley was outscored 10-17 in the third quarter. The Braves couldn't seem to get a shot to fall, only shooting 20% during the third period. The Ramblers found a spark from their veterans who were prepared to fight back. The fourth quarter brought better shooting for the Braves, but they couldn't seem so shut down the Ramblers and were once again outscored by 7 points.
Daija Powell continued to put up points and pull down rebounds, but the attack from Loyola kept coming. Bradley didn't make a three pointer in the second half while Loyola made four. Every shot seemed to go in for the Ramblers, but it all came down to the final seconds. Two free throws put Loyola up by three with nine seconds left, but that was all the scoring that would be done in the last moments of the game.
Notables
Daija Powell and
Alex Rouse both scored 14 points. Powell pulled down six rebounds and recorded a single block, steal and assist each. Rouse grabbed three rebounds and handed out two assists.
Caroline Waite also scored in double digits with 12 points. She also had four rebounds and two steals.
Ruba Abo Hashesh had a special number of seven, scoring seven points and snatching seven rebounds. She added on three assists and a steal.
Isis Fitch also scored seven points along with eight rebounds and an assist.
What's Next
Bradley gets back on the road for a battle with Eastern Illinois in Charleston on Tuesday. Bradley leads the series 20-19 and has won the last two games. Their last win came on November 28, 2018, with a score of 67-64. You can stream the game on ESPN+ or tune in to 1290 WIRL to listen on the radio.