Northwestern
3-4,0-0Big Ten
Loyola Chicago
3-4,0-0Atlantic 10
Northwestern’s Rally Falls Short Against Loyola, 73-68
11/29/2023 1:09:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Weaver pours in career-high 20 points to lead ‘Cats
EVANSTON, Ill. - Hailey Weaver poured in a career-high 20 points as Northwestern nearly erased a 15-point first-half deficit, but the 'Cats dropped a 73-68 decision to visiting Loyola Chicago (3-4) on Wednesday afternoon inside Welsh-Ryan Arena.
Today's setback sees the Wildcats fall to 3-4 for the 2023-24 season.
How It Happened
Caileigh Walsh got the Wildcats on the board just 31 seconds in, converting inside to knot the score up at 2-2. A Weaver mid-range jumper snapped a near three-minute drought for Northwestern and trimmed Loyola's lead to 8-4 at the 6:47 mark of the opening frame. Following two Paige Mott free throws that pulled the 'Cats within five, 11-6, the Ramblers took off on a 10-0 run, opening up a 21-6 lead en route to holding a 21-10 edge at the end of the first quarter.
A long two from Maggie Pina with two minutes gone in the second quarter cut the gap to 23-13. After seeing Loyola stretch the margin to 28-13, triples on consecutive possessions from Casey Harter and Walsh, respectively, got the 'Cats within single digits, 28-19, near the midway point of the frame. Northwestern would be unable to make a greater dent in its deficit for the remainder of the half, as Loyola took a 38-25 lead into the intermission.
With Loyola staked to a 48-34 lead, Caroline Lau connected from outside to lay the foundation for a 13-0 tear that also included two treys from Weaver and a triple from Alana Goodchild, with Goodchild's three making it a one-point game, 48-47, with 2:26 to play. Loyola went on to hold Northwestern scoreless for the remainder of the quarter to reestablish a five-point lead, 52-47.
Weaver continued to attack in the final frame, converting on an old-fashioned three-point play with just under three minutes gone to again cut the Loyola lead to one, 56-55. Loyola responded, pushing the gap back to seven, 64-57, before Northwestern looked to mount a final push. Mott muscled up an attempt inside to pull the 'Cats back within two, 66-64, at the 1:41 mark. Weaver capped off her afternoon with a four-point play with just 17 seconds to play that again made it a two-point game, 70-68, but the Wildcats would get no closer as Loyola closed out a 73-68 victory.
Game Notes
» Weaver paced the Northwestern attack on the afternoon, finishing with 20 points (6-12 FGs, 3-6 3FGs, 5-6 FTs).
» Weaver also grabbed six rebounds and five assists, both team-best marks.
» Harter provided a lift off the bench, putting up a season-high 14 points (6-7 FGs, 2-3 3FGs).
» Mott rounded out a trio of Wildcats to score in double figures with 12 points (2-7 FGs, 8-9 FTs).
» Led by Weaver's six helpers, Northwestern assisted on 18 of its 23 made field goals.
» Sam Galanopoulos paced Loyola with 20 points (7-14 FGs, 3-4 3FGs, 3-4 FTs).
Up Next
Northwestern is back in action inside Welsh-Ryan Arena on Sunday, December 3 when it entertains Georgetown in a 3 p.m. tip-off that will be televised live on Big Ten Network.
This article was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.
