Chicagoland Holiday Challenge: No. 4 Loyola turned in an impressive performance as it routed Downers Grove South 53-16. Kristin Santa led the way with 12 points and Julie Bumgardner added 11. Loyola connected on 14 of 21 shots in the first half while running out to a 31-8 lead.
“The thing I like about our team is that no matter who our opponent is, and even though we have our moments when we dip, we’re coming to play every night,” said Loyola coach Tanya Johnson.
After trailing by two in the first half, No. 9 Maine South went on a 14-3 third-quarter run and pulled away for a 71-49 win over Maria. Joy Pavichevich had 20 points, Renee Schaul had 13 and Denise Pavichevich scored six of her 11 during the run for the Hawks (15-2).
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“What you saw tonight was the discipline of a maturing team trying to move to an elite level,” said Maine South coach Mike Deines. “I like the look of this team. They have a real championship attitude.”
Jenny Cain’s 15 points and 11 rebounds paced Maria (10-3).
Crystal Lake Central: Shronda Baldwin scored 16 points to lead Larkin (5-8) past Rolling Meadows 59-51 for the tournament title. Anne Boeker and Melissa Wortham each added 13 points for Larkin. Anne Piller lead Rolling Meadows with 16.
In the third-place game, St. Scholastica (7-2) tipped Crystal Lake Central 57-45 behind 28 points from Shannon McGowan.
Loves Park: Conant (16-2) had five scorers in double figures led by Tracy Schader and Nola Jean Dobratz with 14 points each en route to a fifth-place, 72-48 victory over Harlem.
Milwaukee: Second-ranked Marshall finished sixth out of 18 teams at the Milwaukee Classic after a 74-67 loss to Osseo , the No. 1-ranked team in Minnesota. Sabrina Minter led Marshall (9-2) with 17 points and five steals, but the Commandoes hurt themselves with 26 turnovers.
Naperville North: Suzie Rizek scored 13 points and Alicia Stewart added 10 as No. 10 Naperville North (16-1) won its own tournament with a 49-31 victory over Wheaton-Warrenville South (9-5). North led only 26-23 at the half, but Wheaton South missed its first 14 shots of the second half and connected on only three of 27 shots in the second half.
In the third-place game, Benet (9-8) edged No. 11 Joliet 59-57 on two free throws by Leslie Cervantes with :17 left. Sheila Connelly led Benet with 15 points and Mary Ellen Schaefer added 14. Machell Roberts led Joliet (12-3) with 28 points.
St. Viator: Tournament MVP Denise Walker had 18 points and Bridget Clark added 12 as St. Viator (12-5) claimed its own tourney title with a 47-30 victory over Wheeling.