The Matchup
- The Greyhounds will be back in Reitz Arena on Sunday as they host UMBC.
- This will be the 22nd matchup between the two programs with the Greyhounds holding an 14-7 advantage. They also won their matchup last season, 63-57.
Last Time Out
- The Greyhounds traveled to face the cross-town Morgan State Bears.
- Scoring was at a premium in the first half, but the Greyhounds managed to find their rhythm in the second quarter, a big thanks to Kelly Ratigan, who hit a three-pointer on back-to-back possessions.
- Despite a strong defensive first half for both teams, the Greyhounds were able to take an 25-19 lead into halftime.
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Taleah Dixon started the second half strong for the Greyhounds scoring on their first possession.
- The rest of the quarter saw both teams trade baskets as neither team could pull ahead.
- The Bears managed to cut into the Greyhounds lead throughout the fourth quarter, as they got it to a 49-47 deficit with two minutes remaining.
- From there, the Bears went on a 14-1 run to end the game, to score the home win over the Greyhounds.
Looking Ahead
- Loyola will be back home on November 16 as it hosts Monmouth at 7:00 PM.
- They will then hit the road for a pair of road contests, traveling to face George Mason on November 19 and Bryant on November 21.
Previous Starters
Meliah Van-Otoo: 3 points, 4 assists, 2 rebounds
Bri Rozzi: 0 points, 2 rebounds
Taleah Dixon: 13 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assists
Koi Sims: 5 point, 15 rebounds, 2 block
Lex Therien: 20 points, 13 rebounds, 3 steals
Scouting UMBC
- The Retrievers come into the matchup with a 1-1 record on the season.
- Their win came against Gettysburg College in a 79-77 decision.
- Ashia McCalla leads the Retrievers with 13.5 points per game and Kiara Bell is averaging 12.0 points per game.
- They are averaging 62.5 points per game so far this season, while shooting 37% from the field.
- They have allowed teams to shoot 47.3% from the field so far this season.
- Janee'a Summers was named to the Preseason America East All-Conference Third Team.
- The Retrievers were picked to finish in last place in the America East Preseason Poll, with 15 points in the poll.
Therien Named to Patriot League Preseason Team
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Lex Therien was named to the Preseason All-Patriot League Team prior to the start of the year.
- The sophomore forward made a big splash her freshman year, as she averaged 12.6 points, 10.9 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 1.5 steals per game.
- She finished ninth in the Patriot League in scoring and finished first in rebounds per game.
- She was named Rookie of the Year and named to the All-League Second Team
Key Returners
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Taleah Dixon and
Devyne Newman will return to the Greyhounds as fifth year graduate students.
- Dixon started all 29 games and was second on the team as she averaged 10.6 points per game, while averaged 2.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists.
- Newman started in 16 of 27 games played last season, averaging 19.6 minutes per game.
- She averaged 4.4 points and 2.3 rebounds per game.
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Emma Glezen, Caramina Tanedo, Laura Salmeron,
Bri Rozzi,
Ava Therien and
Lex Therien cap off the rest of the returners for the Greyhounds.
Worth Noting
- The Greyhounds held 12 opponents to 60 points or less during the 2021-22 season.
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Lex Therien is the first player to be named to the Preseason All-Conference Team since 2018-19.
- The Greyhounds team this year features three international players, all coming over from Spain.
- Coach O'Banion comes into her second year after seeing a 5-win improvement during her first year with the team.
- Loyola's 63-57 win over UMBC last year was the program's first victory after trailing by 14+ points in the second half since Feb. 10, 2012 vs. Iona (66-60).
- Loyola's overtime victory over FDU on Nov. 14 was the program's first overtime game since Jan. 2, 2017 at Lafayette. The Greyhounds are now 3-9 in OT dating back to March 4, 2011.
