ORLANDO, Fla. – The Elon women's basketball team fell in an early hole and couldn't claw its way back, losing to Loyola Chicago 72-46 on Tuesday in the first game of the UCF Christmas Classic.
 
Chloe Williams led the Phoenix (4-6) with a career-high 11 points on 4-for-5 shooting. She was the only player who scored in double figures as Elon shot a season-low 29.4%.
 
Anna Brown paced the Ramblers (4-8) with 19 points on 7-for-12 shooting, including 5-for-10 on 3-pointers. Sophia Nolan joined her in double figures with 16 points.
 
THE RUNDOWN
 

• Loyola seized control of the game early, outscoring the Phoenix 15-1 in the first 5:14. Williams made Elon's first field goal with four minutes left in the quarter, but it couldn't build any momentum and ended the period down 25-5. The Phoenix committed eight turnovers in the quarter, leading to 13 points.
• Looking to bounce back, Elon opened the second quarter on a 14-4 run, cutting the deficit to 29-19. The Ramblers, however, outscored the Phoenix 10-4 the rest of the period to enter halftime up 39-23.
• Loyola opened the third quarter on an 8-2 run, stretching its lead to 47-25. Williams made a 3-pointer with 5:43 left in the period to bring the Phoenix within 19 points, but it couldn't get any closer the rest of the way.

 
NOTES
 

• Elon's 46 points marked its fewest since scoring 46 on Dec. 5, 2021, at NC State.
• The Phoenix's 29.4% field-goal percentage was its lowest since shooting 27.8% in that same game against the Wolfpack.
• Elon's five first-quarter points marked its fewest in any quarter this season.
• Loyola outrebounded Elon 42-30. It marked the first time the Phoenix lost the battle of the boards since Nov. 10 at NC State.
• Williams' career-high 11 points bested her previous high of 10, set against Richmond on Thursday.
• Hannah Dereje set career highs in points (five) and rebounds (five).
• Lenaejha Evans and Raven Preston saw their double-digit scoring streaks end at seven and five games, respectively.

 
UP NEXT
 

• Elon will continue play in the UCF Christmas Classic when it faces UCF on Wednesday. Tipoff is set for 12 p.m.