Loyola Greyhound

Issue date: 2/19/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Jesse DeFlorio DiClemente led the way with 15 points.

Fueled by 29 points off the bench, the Loyola women's basketball team notched their third-straight MAAC victory Friday night at Reitz Arena, defeating Rider 55-49.Loyola (11-13, 6-8 MAAC) was able to overcome a rough night from the field, connecting on only 14 of 41 field-goal attempts, by hitting 25 of 33 free-throws on their way to the win.

Sophomore Erica DiClemente led the Greyhound scoring effort with 15 points off the bench. Junior Siobhan Prior contributed nine points and seniors Tynisha Davis and Meaghan Wood added eight each.

While DiClemente was the prominent contributor, Wood's contributions marked her first appearance since her knee surgery on Jan. 23.

"It was great to see `Woody' back out there tonight," head coach Joe Logan said. "The fans that follow us really appreciated seeing her, too. Now that she played 14 minutes, she's going to tell me that she's ready to go 40, but it was just good to see her get back in the flow and start to get her timing and wind. She is just such an emotional lift for us."

Also contributing off of the Hounds' bench was senior Vika Sholokhova, who tallied 13 rebounds to go along with six points. Her low post dominance was important in preventing second chance points, as the Broncs only managed to shoot 34 percent from the field.

"Vika having 13 boards was huge," Logan said. "She wasn't necessarily scoring, but she cleaned up everything on the boards."

The Hounds controlled the contest from the start, opening the game with an 8-0 run on the back of eight free-throws. In fact, free throws were about the only way either team was scoring as neither the Broncs nor the Hounds had a field goal for almost eight minutes. They picked up their shooting at the end of the half, but Loyola maintained their advantage throughout and took a 28-18 lead into the half.

Rider opened the second half with a strong 10-2 run, pulling within two points at 30-28. Loyola then took a nine-point lead, which they would hold for a majority of the second half.

However, Amanda Sepulveda hit a three with 30 seconds to play to cut the deficit to four, but Sholokhova drained two free throws to close it out.

Sepulveda and Janele Henderson led Rider with 13 points apiece.

The Hounds return to action on Feb. 18 at Siena. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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