Chicago-Area High School Football News and Scores | Season Pass

Seven lead changes in the first quarter signaled the possibility of a classic thriller.

But Loyola ruined the suspense with a 9-0 run in the second quarter and then further increased its advantage with a 12-0 stretch early in the third quarter on its way to a 51-33 victory over Maine South.

“It was senior night, and we owed it to our seniors to perform the way we did,” Loyola junior guard Maggie Nick said. “We did it for those six girls.”

After Loyola junior guard Mary Kate Herion hit a free throw with 6:29 to play in the fourth to put the Ramblers up 45-22, Maine South coach Mark Smith sat all of his starters.

“We got what we deserved,” said Smith, whose club dropped to 23-5. “They outworked us, outhustled us, outrebounded us. They outplayed us in every aspect of the game.”

Maine South center Jacqui Grant scored a team-best 10 points. Senior guard Regan Carmichael finished with two points, but she didn’t make a field goal. Senior guard Mackenzie Duffy was held scoreless. The Hawks shot 3-for-21 from beyond the arc.

Loyola senior guard Anna Schueler knocked down a three-pointer 31 seconds into the second half that got the Ramblers going. She scored a game-high 17 points.

Loyola (20-7) ended Maine South’s season last year with a 42-25 win in the semifinals at the New Trier Sectional.

“I don’t know what is about them and us,” said Nick, who added 12 points. “They are such a good team and a rival, so we know we have to bring it every time against them.”