Youngstown State women lose 3rd straight

Staff report

Chicago

Youngstown State made a school-record 16 3-pointers, but Loyola was perfect at the free throw line in the final minute to hold on for a 78-73 win over the Penguins on Saturday at Gentile Arena.

Liz Hornberger made YSU’s record-breaking 3-pointer at the 1:22 mark to knot the score at 72, the ninth tie in the game.

The Penguins (10-14, 4-9 Horizon) forced a missed shot on the defensive end, but Simone Law grabbed the offensive rebound and was fouled on a shot attempt. She made both free throws, and Kenya Middlebrooks was blocked by Katie Kortekamp on a 3-point attempt with under 40 seconds left.

Kortekamp made two free throws with 28.9 seconds left to put Loyola (11-13, 6-7) ahead 76-72, and Kelsea Fickiesen split a pair with 12.7 seconds remaining to make the score 76-73. Kortekamp made two more free throws with 11.6 seconds left to put the game out of reach.

Brandi Brown scored 20 points and hit a career-high five 3-pointers, and Middlebrooks added 16 points and four 3s for the Penguins. Fickiesen finished with a career-best 13 points, and Macey Nortey had seven assists off the bench.

Troy Hambric scored 14 of her 20 points for Loyola in the first half. Lyndsey Booker added 14 points for the Ramblers, while Law had 12 points and nine rebounds. Patrice King also scored 12 points.