BALTIMORE – Loyola looks to complete its first-ever season sweep of Bucknell, traveling to face the Patriot League leaders on Saturday afternoon. The Greyhounds have won three of their last five games entering the weekend. Of their seven Patriot League defeats, six have been by single digits and five have been decided by a single possession.
Last Time Out
- Alexis Gray scored a season-high 17 points, Stephanie Karcz recorded her 1,000th career rebound, and Loyola closed on a 12-0 run to secure a 50-44 victory at Navy last Saturday.
- The Greyhounds held the Midshipmen (7-14, 2-8) off the scoreboard for the final 5:06 of regulation. Ashley Hunter put the visitors ahead for good on a layup with 2:21 remaining.
- Karcz finished with a season-high 14 rebounds overall to go along with six points, five assists and four steals. Her 13th board of the afternoon made her the fourth player in program history to reach 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in her collegiate career.
- Gray hit 6 of 11 shots from the field (3-5 3FG) to lead the offensive effort.
- Loyola, which trailed 24-13 midway through the second quarter, rallied from a double-digit deficit for the first time this season.
- The Greyhounds also grabbed a season-high 44 rebounds in the victory.
Series History
- Bucknell leads 18-8 in a series which dates back to 1984.
- The Bison have won 13 of 16 meetings since Loyola's arrival in the Patriot League, but the Greyhounds are coming off a 60-50 victory in this year's first matchup at Reitz on Jan. 25.
- Loyola led from start-to-finish in that victory, with Alexis Gray supplying a team-high 16 points (7-8 FT).
- Loyola's last road win was a 68-65 triumph on Jan. 17, 2018. That victory snapped Bucknell's 25-game home winning streak against Patriot League opponents.
Scouting Bucknell
- The defending Patriot League champions, the Bison (15-6, 8-2) have dropped 2 of 3 after winning their previous seven games.
- Bucknell is coming off a 52-48 defeat at Boston U last Saturday, with the Bison unable to recover from an early 16-4 deficit.
- Sr. F Ellie Mack ranks third in the conference in scoring (15.0 ppg) and eighth in rebounding (7.2 rpg), while Jr. G Abby Kapp leads the conference in 3's per game (2.7) and 3-point FG% (39.6).
- As a team, Bucknell leads the conference in scoring defense (53.2 ppg), scoring margin (+10.0), FT% (76.3) and fewest turnovers committed per game (12.5).
- Bucknell has won 14-straight home games against conference opposition, including a 4-0 mark this season.
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 5.8 thefts through Loyola's first 21 contests.
- Karcz's 122 steals this season are already the fifth most in Patriot League single-season history, and she is just one back of her own school record of 123 (set last year).
- The NCAA's active leader in steals (433), 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).
- Karcz is one of two players nationally with multiple triple-doubles on the year, joining Oregon's Sabrina Ionescu. She has four triple-doubles overall in her collegiate career.
- Karcz's 12 thefts against Army on Jan. 18 were the most by a DI player this season, were tied for Loyola's program record, and were the most ever in a Patriot League game.
Gray Finding Offensive Stride
- Alexis Gray has reached double figures in four of Loyola's last five games, and she now ranks second on the team in scoring (8.8 ppg).
- Gray is currently tied for third in team history with 144 career 3-pointers made. She is 13 back of program-record holder Nicole Krusen (2011-14) and six behind Meredith Tolley (2007-11) in second place.
Short-Handed Success
- Loyola earned its win at Navy despite playing with only eight healthy players.
- Ashley Hunter and Emily McAteer both supplied 27 key minutes off the bench. Hunter totaled eight points (4-6 FG), five rebounds and three assists, while McAteer finished with nine points and seven boards for the Greyhounds.
Hot From Downtown
- Loyola hit 38.5% (5-13) of its 3-point attempts in last Saturday's win over Navy, 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 25.4% from 3-point range in all other contests.
Quick Notes
- Laryn Edwards is shooting 96.8% (30 for 31) from the free throw line during Patriot League play. Alexis Gray is at 86.4% (19 for 22) against conference opponents.
- Last Saturday's win at Navy was Loyola's first on the road since Nov. 13 at FDU. The Greyhounds are now 2-10 away from Reitz Arena this season.
- Loyola's +16 rebounding margin last Saturday (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 (19.1) and 3-point FG% defense (27.5).
- Loyola has held opponents to 20.0% shooting or fewer from 3-point range in five of its 10 Patriot League games, including each of the last two contests.
Looking Ahead
- Loyola returns to Reitz Arena on Wednesday, hosting American at 6 p.m. and looking to avenge a 63-44 defeat to the Eagles back in January.
