Loyola proves too much for Carmel

Losses are always a tough pill to swallow.

But there is consolation if the team is learning lessons and improving along the way.

That's the category the Carmel Catholic girls basketball team falls under after it dropped a 52-39 nonconference decision to visiting Loyola Academy on Wednesday evening in Mundelein.

"I love the effort and love the hustle," said coach Ben Berg, whose Corsairs lost their third straight and dropped to 5-5. "(Loyola) picked up their man defense and were pressing. We played good defense. They were just hitting their shots."

It was Carmel that controlled things early on, jumping to a 9-6 advantage after the first frame.

Junior forward Katie Lach popped in 6 of her game-high 13 points in the first, as Carmel held the Ramblers to 3-of-14 shooting.

But Loyola (9-2) woke up in the second, outscoring the hosts 21-8 to take a 27-17 lead at the break.

"Their transition baskets were nonstop, especially their treys," Lach said. "We knew they were going to be tough to beat. We're just on a rough stretch right now, but we're really proud of our effort and not giving up."

Loyola canned three 3-pointers in the second and seven for the game, as it shot 7 of 16 from behind the arc.

The Ramblers held their ground in the third, building as much as a 37-19 lead with 3 minutes left in the frame.

But then that fight and never-say-die attitude Berg and Lach referred to was on center stage in the fourth.

"We were doing whatever we could to close the gap," Lach said. "We were all hustling for the ball."

On one occasion in the final stanza, Lach had a heads-up play when she chased down and dove for a loose ball, and promptly fed senior guard Caitlin Teehan (4 points) for a layup. That cut the lead to 41-28 with 6 minutes left in regulation.

It was all part of an 11-2 Corsairs run to open the fourth, which was culminated in a layup by Lach that cut the lead to 43-35 with 2:46 left.

But Loyola answered right back with a basket to up the lead to 45-35. From there, the clock became the Corsairs' enemy as Loyola prevented any further damage.

"They have so many girls that can score points," Berg said.

Senior center Brigit Barr complemented Lach with 12 points and 6 boards. Freshman center Grace Sullivan added 7 points in the paint, while grabbing 6 rebounds.