Northwestern University Athletics
Thursday, December 18
Evanston, Ill.
11 a.m. CT
Northwestern
6-5,0-1Big Ten
68
vs
69
Loyola Chicago
4-7,0-1Atlantic 10
1
2
3
4
F
Loyola Chicago
20
18
18
13
69
Northwestern
16
17
13
22
68
Photo by: Mary Grace Grabill/Northwestern Athletics
Thomas Surpasses Career High, Northwestern Falls To Loyola Chicago, 69-68
12/18/2025 2:30:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Sophomore pours in career-high 30 points, corrals 11 rebounds
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.
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).
"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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
"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."
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.
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).
"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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
"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."
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.
Team Stats
Loyola
NU
FG%
.467
.463
3FG%
.313
.267
FT%
.615
.824
RB
26
35
TO
13
17
STL
9
8
Game Leaders
Pts
30
FGM
11
3FGM
0
FTM
8
Pts
12
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
4
Pts
6
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballF
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