YSU women lose on road at Loyola

Staff report

Chicago

The Youngstown State women’s basketball team became the latest victim of a surging Loyola team on Saturday.

The Ramblers won their fifth consecutive game, scoring nine of the final 10 points for a 67-59 Horizon League victory at Gentile Arena.

The game featured 12 lead changes and nine ties, the final of which was at 58. Loyola’s Simone Law broke that tie with a basket on the low block with 1:57 to play. YSU’s Brandi Brown fouled out in the play and Law completed the three-point play to spark a game-clinching run by the Rambers.

YSU’s Shar’Rae Davis had 15 points and a career-high 12 rebounds for her first double-double, and three other Penguins scored in double figures. Brown finished with 16 points and nine rebounds, but shot just 5 of 15. Melissa Thompson matched her season high with 13 points and Liz Hornberger finished with 10.

Law finished with 24 points, including a 12-of-21 performance at the free-throw line. The Ramblers shot 35 free throws in the contest, 19 more than the Penguins.

Loyola is now 12-13 overall and 7-5 in Horizon League play, one game behind YSU in the standings. YSU drops to 18-7 overall and 8-4 in the Horizon League.

YSU led by six on three different occasions in the first half and was up 33-32 at halftime.

Youngstown State returns home for three games in five days next week, starting with a contest Thursday against UIC.

Tipoff against the Flames is set for 7:05 p.m. at Beeghly Center.