The Loyola Ramblers (14-14, 8-9 A10) came back from ten points down against the Dayton Flyers (11-16, 5-11 A10) in a thrilling 64-61 victory at Gentile Arena on Sunday afternoon.
Before the game, the team honored six of its seniors and fifth-year players: Alyssa Fisher, Sitori Tanin, Emma and Sophia Nolan, Ali Berg, and de facto captain Sam Galanopoulos.
Seniors Aaliyah Moore and Thoranna Kika Hodge-Carr were not honored at the ceremony, ostensibly to use a fifth year of athletic eligibility.
Both teams struggled from the field early – especially Loyola – with just one lone basket through the first five minutes of play. They shot 2/11 in the first quarter.
They also struggled with ball security and foul trouble, and head coach Allison Guth called a 30-second timeout after Dayton’s lead went to 11-4 at 2:42.
She quipped they couldn’t throw the ball into “Michigan Ocean” in the postgame press conference.
Dayton continued to have shots fall and imposed their will on the offensive glass for second chance points early in the second period. The Ramblers fell by double digits with under 4 to go in the half, but went on an 8-0 run late to cut the deficit down to two at the break.
“That’s good for us,” Guth said. “We need to learn how to play with pressure when something’s on the line for us for the postseason.”
The second-year coach also expressed pride in her players’ ability to step up when it mattered and executing the shifting game plans.
Both squads continued to exchange baskets until Loyola went back in front, courtesy of an Ali Berg three with 5:45 remaining in the third. Loyola held a lead for just 7:59 of the entire game, and this was their first time being ahead since the first basket of the contest.
The quarter saw four lead changes, but the Flyers still remained ahead by one heading to the final stanza.
Sophia Nolan put Loyola lead back in front early in the fourth, but the team went on a scoring drought nearing three minutes.
Sam Galanopoulos put the Ramblers back ahead with 5:28 remaining and Alyssa Fisher gave them their largest lead of 55-51 at 3:53 in the game. The Flyers continued to push and chipped the lead back down to one with under two minutes to go.
Despite the day being meant for the seniors, some could argue the key moment of the afternoon was from sophomore Kira Chivers. The 5’3 guard put back a missed Fisher layup to put the Ramblers back in front by 3 – and forced Dayton to call a timeout with 79 ticks on the clock.
Chivers finished with eight points, six assists and three rebounds – two on the offensive glass.
Fisher redeemed herself by converting an and-one with 28.4 on the clock to put Loyola ahead by four again. All 13 of her points came in the second half – seven of which came at the charity stripe.
Fisher – as well as Galanopoulos and Tanin – scored in double figures. Senior guard Anyssa Jones led Dayton with 10 points.
The afternoon’s win helped the Ramblers move closer to a first-round bye at the conference championship in Richmond, but, perhaps more importantly, the team finished with a winning record at home.
Even with one game left to play – and a conference tournament to play through – Galanopoulos and Fisher both agreed that this year’s team has been their favorite to be a part of in their college careers.
“I’ve been here for five years and I’ve literally had like five completely different teams,” she said. “It’s just made me love basketball again and love playing, going to war and competing with them.”
They will have a six-day break before finishing out the regular season on the road against George Washington (11-17, 4-12 A10).
Tip-off is set for 1:00 p.m. CST and will stream live on ESPN+
