EVANSTON, Ill. (December 18, 2025) — Tayla Thomas scored a career-high 30 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to help Northwestern battle back into a fourth-quarter lead against Loyola Chicago on Thursday at Welsh-Ryan Arena, but the hosts ultimately dropped a 69-68 decision.
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The Wildcats (6-5, 0-1 Big Ten) faced a 10-point deficit entering the final quarter but surged to recapture an advantage with less than five minutes to play. Thomas' tip-in layup gave Northwestern a 68-67 edge in the final minute, but Clara Djoko's hook shot proved to be the game-winner for the Ramblers (4-7, 0-1 A-10).Â
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"We had momentum late in the game, erased the 10-point lead, took a three-point lead and you gotta hold it," head coach Joe McKeown said. "You gotta get stops. We got a great look by a great shooter at the end. That part we can live with. Give Loyola credit. They played their best game of the year."
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Thomas, who chipped in two blocks and a steal to go along with her 11-of-17 performance from the field, was one of three Wildcats to score in double figures.Â
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Caroline Lau recorded 12 points, nine assists, eight rebounds, a block and a steal as she logged 40 minutes on Thursday. Lau scored 10 fourth-quarter points on a perfect 3-of-3 mark from the field, including a 2-of-2 clip from distance.
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Tate Lash turned in a well-rounded effort, pitching in 10 points and five assists, while tallying a team-high four steals and three blocks.Â
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On the defensive end, Northwestern forced Loyola into 13 turnovers, eight of which came in the second half. The 'Cats held the Ramblers to a 1-of-8 mark from beyond the arc in the game's latter 20 minutes.Â
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"We've gotten a taste of pretty strong competition," McKeown said. "We're going to have another dogfight Sunday at George Washington. If we use this to our advantage, it'll help us."
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The Wildcats will return to action in their final non-conference tilt on Sunday, December 21 against George Washington in Washington, D.C. Tip-off from Charles E. Smith Center is slated for 12 p.m. CT.
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The Wildcats (6-5, 0-1 Big Ten) faced a 10-point deficit entering the final quarter but surged to recapture an advantage with less than five minutes to play. Thomas' tip-in layup gave Northwestern a 68-67 edge in the final minute, but Clara Djoko's hook shot proved to be the game-winner for the Ramblers (4-7, 0-1 A-10).Â
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"We had momentum late in the game, erased the 10-point lead, took a three-point lead and you gotta hold it," head coach Joe McKeown said. "You gotta get stops. We got a great look by a great shooter at the end. That part we can live with. Give Loyola credit. They played their best game of the year."
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Gallery: (12-18-2025) Women's Basketball vs. Loyola Chicago
Thomas, who chipped in two blocks and a steal to go along with her 11-of-17 performance from the field, was one of three Wildcats to score in double figures.Â
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Caroline Lau recorded 12 points, nine assists, eight rebounds, a block and a steal as she logged 40 minutes on Thursday. Lau scored 10 fourth-quarter points on a perfect 3-of-3 mark from the field, including a 2-of-2 clip from distance.
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Tate Lash turned in a well-rounded effort, pitching in 10 points and five assists, while tallying a team-high four steals and three blocks.Â
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On the defensive end, Northwestern forced Loyola into 13 turnovers, eight of which came in the second half. The 'Cats held the Ramblers to a 1-of-8 mark from beyond the arc in the game's latter 20 minutes.Â
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"We've gotten a taste of pretty strong competition," McKeown said. "We're going to have another dogfight Sunday at George Washington. If we use this to our advantage, it'll help us."
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The Wildcats will return to action in their final non-conference tilt on Sunday, December 21 against George Washington in Washington, D.C. Tip-off from Charles E. Smith Center is slated for 12 p.m. CT.