Highlights (YouTube)

BALTIMORE – Alexis Gray totaled 13 points, nine rebounds and six assists, while Stephanie Karcz and Bri Rozzi added 12 points apiece in a 64-48 victory for Loyola University Maryland over Monmouth on Friday afternoon.

The Greyhounds (2-8) outscored the Hawks (3-6) by a 22-9 margin in the second quarter to take control of the contest. Gray's nine boards were a new career-high, as she just missed out on her first collegiate double-double. Her six assists, meanwhile, were one shy of her career best.

Karcz chipped in nine steals defensively, as the Division I leader upped her season average to 6.3 thefts per game. Rozzi's 12 points were also a new season high, as she hit 3 of 4 attempts from 3-point range.

Loyola had a dominant performance from long distance, shooting 56.3 percent (9 of 16) from beyond the arc compared to a 12.0 percent (3 for 25) effort for the visitors. The Greyhounds also turned 23 Monmouth turnovers into 29 points on the other end.

The Hawks held a 12-10 advantage through the opening 10 minutes. Loyola responded with a 7-0 run, capped by an Emily McAteer 3-pointer, to begin the second quarter, and the home side gradually extended its lead the rest of the way.

Molly Taylor, who missed the first nine games due to an offseason injury, drained a 3-pointer less than 30 seconds into her season debut midway through the frame. Rozzi then gave the Greyhounds a 32-21 lead heading into the intermission on a long ball inside the final minute.

Monmouth pulled within single digits for the last time at 39-31 with 5:15 left in the third quarter. A Karcz layup began an 8-0 stretch for Loyola to open up a comfortable margin, and the Greyhounds led by as many as 17 points in the fourth.

Karcz, who recorded a triple double with 12 points, 12 rebounds and 10 steals in a Loyola win over Monmouth last season, upped her program-leading steals total to 374. She is 26 thefts away from becoming the 28th player in Division I history to reach 400 in her collegiate career.

McAteer supplied nine points and a season-high seven rebounds in 30 minutes off the bench, while Ava Therien added eight points, four rebounds and four steals in her first collegiate start.

Alexa Middleton had 12 points and 12 rebounds to lead Monmouth, which had a two-game winning streak snapped.

Loyola now has a week and a half off for the holidays before returning to Reitz Arena on Tuesday, Dec. 31 for a 12 p.m. home matchup against Dartmouth.