Jurado’s 21 points lift Loyola women past Lewis in exhibition

CHICAGO — Mireia Jurado scored 21 points and Rosalie Mercille added 15 off the bench as Loyola Chicago beat Lewis 80–73 in a women’s basketball exhibition Tuesday at Gentile Arena. The Ramblers used efficient shooting and a late fourth-quarter run to finish a game that Lewis had brought back within reach after halftime.

Jurado made nine of 11 shots, including both of her three-point attempts. Mercille went six for 10 overall and three for four from long range. Their combined 36 points gave Loyola a productive pairing across its starting group and bench, while MD Ntambue supplied nine points, six assists and four steals.

Loyola led 37–29 at halftime, but Lewis outscored the Ramblers 27–20 in the third quarter. The Flyers briefly moved ahead during that period, and Loyola’s advantage was only 57–56 entering the fourth. The exhibition therefore required a closing response rather than allowing the home team to coast behind its early lead.

A 7–0 Loyola run helped establish a 69–63 edge with 2:13 remaining. The Ramblers finished the quarter with 23 points and held Lewis to 17, preserving the seven-point final margin. Loyola’s bench contributed 34 points overall, including Mercille’s 15 and eight from Gabby Wilke.

Lewis received 20 points from Mallory Ramage, who made four of seven three-point attempts. Jasmine Jones added 17 points and six assists, while Autumn Rucker scored 13. The Flyers made 10 threes to Loyola’s six, but Loyola’s overall shooting was stronger: 31 for 58 compared with Lewis’ 23 for 62.

This was preseason competition for both programs, not a regular-season win or loss. Loyola opens its regular season at home against Wright State on Tuesday, November 3, at 7 p.m. Chicago time. Tuesday’s exhibition supplies a useful closing-game sample, with Jurado’s efficient scoring and the bench’s production helping the Ramblers complete it.