BALTIMORE – Loyola University Maryland women's basketball returns to Reitz Arena on Wednesday, hosting American at 6 p.m. and looking to snap a seven-game losing streak in the series. The Greyhounds are 4-5 in their nine home games this season, with all five defeats by single-digit margins.
Last Time Out
- Stephanie Karcz recorded her 28th career double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds, but lockdown defense in the first half contributed to a 66-42 victory for Bucknell over Loyola on Saturday afternoon.
- The Bison raced out to a 17-4 lead after the opening quarter and ultimately took a 30-12 advantage into the intermission. Bucknell shot 46.6 percent from the field and avenged a 60-50 defeat when the teams met at Reitz Arena on Jan. 25.
- Making her first collegiate start, Emily McAteer matched a season-high with 10 rebounds in the defeat.
Series History
- American leads 22-6 in a series which dates back to 1977.
- The Eagles have won each of the last seven meetings, with the last six contests decided by double digits.
- The Greyhounds suffered a 63-44 road defeat in this year's first matchup on Jan. 22. American led just 40-39 after three quarters, but outscored the visitors 23-5 over the last 10 minutes. Stephanie Karcz led Loyola with eight points, 11 rebounds and eight steals.
- Loyola's last victory was a 55-50 road triumph on Feb. 27, 2016. Its last win at Reitz Arena was a 52-46 victory on Dec. 30, 2015.
Scouting American
- The Eagles (9-12, 5-6 Patriot League) have won three of their last five games, including a 67-62 OT victory at Army on Saturday.
- American is 3-9 overall away from home, though it has won each of its last two road matchups.
- So. G Jade Edwards (14.2 ppg) and Sr. G Kaitlyn Marenyi (14.0 ppg) rank fourth and fifth, respectively, in the Patriot League in scoring.
- Edwards was named Patriot League Player of the Week after totaling 23 points and 11 boards in Saturday's win at Army. She was limited to five points (0-4 FG) in the first meeting against Loyola.
- American ranks last in the Patriot League in both rebounding margin (-4.8) and 3-point defense, allowing opponents to shoot 35.0% from behind the arc.
Karcz Set to Surpass Own Steals Record
- Stephanie Karcz has led Division I in steals per game for a majority of the season. She is currently averaging 5.6 thefts through Loyola's first 22 contests.
- Karcz's 123 steals this season are already tied for the fourth most in Patriot League single-season history, and she is just one away from passing her own school record which was set last year.
- The NCAA's active leader in steals (434), Karcz is ranked 14th overall in DI history. Next up on the all-time list are Indiana State's Melanie Boeglin (444) and UConn's Nykesha Sales (449).
Success from the Charity Stripe
Greyhounds Among Patriot League Individual Leaders
- Stephanie Karcz leads the conference in steals per game (5.6), and she ranks third in rebounding (9.7/gm) and fourth in assists (3.9/gm).
- Alexis Gray leads all qualified shooters in free throw percentage (84.6, 44-52), and she is 13th in assists per game (2.4).
- Delaney Connolly is tied for 12th in 3-point FG% (34.2, 25-73) and she is 14th in 3's made per game (1.3).
Latest Milestone for Karcz
- With the 13th of her season-high 14 rebounds at Navy on Feb. 1, Stephanie Karcz became the fourth player in program history to reach 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in her collegiate career.
- She joins Loyola Hall of Famers Patty Stoffey (1991-95), Mary Beth Akre (1976-80) and Mary Rieman (1975-79).
- Karcz has totaled 10+ boards in seven of the last eight games, and she has reached double figures 14 times overall in 2019-20.
Quick Notes
- Laryn Edwards is shooting 96.8% (30 for 31) from the free throw line during Patriot League play.
- Loyola's four points in the first quarter at Bucknell were its fewest in any quarter this season.
- The Greyhounds are a perfect 6-0 when out-shooting their opponent this season, and they are 5-1 when leading at halftime.
- Loyola has held opponents to 30.0% shooting or fewer from 3-point range in eight of its 11 Patriot League games, including each of the last three contests.
- Loyola's +16 rebounding margin in its Feb. 1 win at Navy (44-28) was its highest in any game this season.
- Stephanie Karcz and Hannah Niles are the only two Greyhounds to start every game this season.
- The Greyhounds lead the Patriot League in turnovers forced per game (18.6) and 3-point FG% defense (27.5).
Hot from Downtown
- Loyola hit 38.5% (5-13) of its 3-point attempts in its win over Navy on Feb. 1, continuing a trend of strong shooting beyond the arc leading to victories.
- The Greyhounds are shooting 39.4% from 3-point range in their six wins this season; they are 25.7% from 3-point range in all other contests.
Looking Ahead
- Loyola begins another two-game stretch away from home over the weekend, traveling to Colgate for a 2 p.m. matchup on Saturday afternoon.
