Kortekamp Three Caps Rally, Pushes Loyola Past Valparaiso, 62-61 - Loyola University Chicago Official Athletic Site

March 4, 2010

Box Score

CHICAGO - Katie Kortekamp scored a career-high 12 points, the last three coming on a three-pointer with 8.6 seconds left, as Loyola rallied from a five-point deficit in the final 48 seconds to earn a 62-61 win over Valparaiso tonight at the Gentile Center. The Ramblers improve to 15-13 (9-8 Horizon) while sending the Crusaders to 8-20 (5-12).

"I was really pleased with our poise down the stretch," said head coach Eric Simpson. "Ellen (Ayoub) hit a big shot to get us within two and then we dug in and had one of our best defensive possessions of the half to give us a chance to win. Katie got a good look and stepped up and knocked it down and it creates some positive momentum heading into Senior Day on Saturday."

Valpo got off to a hot start, riding the hot hand of Whitney Farris to grab the early lead. A Keisha Collins jumped capped a 13-0 LU run that turned an 8-2 deficit into a 15-8 Rambler lead but Farris knocked down back-to-back threes as Valpo scored the next eight to regain the lead. However, as the teams traded spurts, a Kortekamp trey capped a 9-1 LU response as the home team extended to a 29-21 lead, eventually taking a 33-24 lead into intermission.

Brittany Boeke scored the first two points of the second half to push the lead to double figures and it seemed as if Loyola was primed to break the game open but the visitors had other ideas. The Rambler offense struggled to keep its rhythm and the Crusaders took advantage, pulling within a point (39-38) on a Lauren Kenney free throw. Valpo kept pushing an opened a 45-41 lead on another Kenney freebie but six quick Boeke points erased the deficit and gave the Ramblers the lead back. However, as was the case all night, Valpo had an answer and a 12-3 run gave the Crusaders a 61-56 lead with 1:36 to play. Kortekamp and McCloskey missed three-pointers but Kenney traveled after falling down on the rebound to keep the ball with the Ramblers. Ayoub drilled a three on the ensuing possession to make it a two-point game (61-59) and, after a stop, McCloskey fed Kortekamp, who knocked down the game-winner from the left wing.

Collins scored 12 of her team-high 14 points in the first half to lead four Ramblers in double figures. Ayoub had a terrific night off the bench, burying four from distance and narrowly missing a double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds. Kortekamp's career-best scoring night was a welcome boost and Boeke also reached double digits, finishing with 10 points.

Loyola closes out the regular season on Saturday afternoon when it battles Butler at 2 p.m. Prior to the game, the Ramblers will honor seniors Keisha Collins, Shannon Finnegan, Jessica Hylton, Maggie McCloskey and Elyse VanBogaert in a pregame ceremony.