For Immediate Release: November 24, 2001
Contact: Dave Geringer, UTPA Director of Athletic Media Relations, (956) 381-2240

LADY BRONCS FALL AT LOYOLA, 76-51

CHICAGO, IL-Loyola of Chicago outscored the University of Texas-Pan American women’s basketball team, 16-4 during a period of three minutes 38 seconds early in the second half and went on to a 76-51 victory at the Joseph Gentile Center Sunday.

Trailing by six at halftime, the Lady Broncs got a basket from freshman Nikki Hitchens (Las Vegas, NV/Silverado HS) to cut the Ramblers’ advantage to 32-28. But Maggie Toczylowski hit three three-point field goals as Loyola came back to take a 48-32 lead with 13:47 remaining.

Hitchens, who had 16 points, was the only UTPA player in double figures. Junior forward Naima Williams (Houston, TX/Clear Brook HS) had seven points and 11 rebounds. The Lady Broncs made 33.3 per cent of their shots from the field, while Loyola made 37.9 per cent. The Ramblers converted 41.9 per cent in the decisive second half.

Tracy Hoffman made all ten of her free throws and led Loyola with 15 points. Ramona Aguado added 12, while Toczylowski and Ciara Henderson had 11 apiece.

“We weren’t consistent enough to win,” said UTPA Head Coach Karin Nicholls. “We didn’t execute our game plan well enough, and we didn’t stay with them in the second half. We’ll be looking for a better effort Tuesday night.”

The Lady Broncs dropped to 1-3 with the defeat, while the Ramblers improved to 3-0. UTPA will finish their two-game trip when they visit Chicago State Tuesday night.

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