Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams had a busy Thanksgiving schedule, as each team played multiple games over the break. The men’s team split two games at the Cayman Islands Classic Mainland Tournament in Omaha, Neb. before taking on Binghamton at Reitz Arena on Monday, and the women’s team traveled to Florida for two tough road contests.

The women’s team lost to Florida Atlantic in their first game down in Florida by the score of 72-61 on Friday, Nov. 29. Despite the loss, Stephanie Karcz ’20 reached a big milestone, becoming the 22nd player in Loyola women’s basketball history to score 1,000 points. 

Karcz totaled 20 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, and six steals in another impressive performance. She currently leads all of Division I in steals per game with 5.2 per contest. Alexis Gray ’20 contributed 14 points, while Delaney Connolly ’21 had eight points and five rebounds.

The Hounds kept things even throughout the majority of the game, but the Owls went on a quick 9-1 run to take a 59-47 lead in the fourth quarter. This run proved to be the difference, as Loyola never recovered and eventually fell 72-61.

Karcz broke another record the following day on Nov. 30, setting the women’s team record with 349 career steals. However, the Hounds fell to defending Horizon-league champion Wright State 66-51 in a consolation game.

Karcz also scored five points and 12 rebounds and continues to lead the nation in steals. First years Emily McAteer and Ava Therien led the team in scoring with 14 points and 10 points, respectively. Therien also had seven rebounds and five assists in her best game of the season.

The Hounds never led but stayed within striking distance for most of the game. Wright State led 49-40 with eight minutes to go, but then took firm control of the game, scoring eight straight points to put Loyola away.

The women’s team, now 1-6 on the young season, travels to Mount St. Mary’s this Friday for a 7 p.m. tip-off. 

The men’s team secured an 81-77 victory over Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis on Nov. 25 in their first game in Omaha. KaVaughn Scott ’20 posted a season-high 14 points. He contributed to a well-balanced scoring attack, as Isaiah Hart ’21 had 16 points, Andrew Kostecka ’20 had 15 points, and Cam Spencer ’23 had 13. 

The Hounds dominated in the paint and caused a lot of turnovers, which led to 52 of their 81 points. They controlled the pace of the game throughout, leading by as much as nine and only giving up the lead once. 

Loyola faced the host Omaha Mavericks the following evening in the championship game but lost 70-65 in a close matchup. Kostecka led all players in scoring with 25 points in 29 minutes, while Cam Spencer scored a career-high 15 points to go with six rebounds. 

The Hounds trailed 59-46 with just 6:35 left, but they trimmed the deficit down to seven points with just under a minute to go. A Golden Dike ’23 layup followed by two Kostecka free throws made the score 68-65 with 38 seconds to go, but the Hounds could not convert on their next possession. Omaha made two more free throws to hang on for the win. 

The men’s team returned to the win column on Monday night, as they soundly defeated Binghamton 77-65. They jumped out to a big lead in the first half, then withstood the Bearcats’ second half comeback to secure the victory.

Four Greyhounds hit double figures. Kostecka led the team with 17 points, Scott had 14 points and six rebounds, Dike had 12 points, and Spencer scored 11 points and five assists. The Hounds also lit up the scoreboard from three-point range, shooting 40% from beyond the arc.

The Hounds led 42-25 after the opening half, then pushed the lead to as much as 21 in the second half. Binghamton stuck around though, as they trimmed the Loyola lead down to 10 points with just over a minute left. Kostecka and Kenneth Jones ’22 made some clutch free throws in the final seconds to seal the win.

The men’s team (4-4) will continue non-conference play this week when they travel to Dover to face Delaware State on Wednesday evening. Tip-off is at 7 p.m.

Featured Image Courtesy of Loyola Athletics.