Girls basketball: Loyola rallies past Nazareth in IHSA Class 4A final to complete 38-0 season

NORMAL – Thirty-eight games, 38 wins.

Even battling a more imposing and state experienced team, Loyola managed to unlock the code to win again March 2.

And this time it was on the biggest stage.

With senior leader Paige Engels standing at the free-throw line with 0.7 seconds left in the Class 4A state championship game, Loyola’s foursome of Aubrey Galvan, Kelsey Langston, Clare Weasler and Marycait Mackie all locked hands at half court and started smiling.

The season-long dream finally was completed.

Loyola rode an astounding defensive effort and several big plays from the dynamic combo of Galvan and Engels to end its season in historic fashion with a thrilling 44-40 comeback victory over Nazareth.

The Ramblers (38-0) ended a rare feat at the big-class state tournament portion, finishing the season unbeaten after Lincoln accomplished the same 38-0 feat a few hours earlier in Class 3A.

“This is one of the best feelings in the world,” Galvan said. “I think it all came from halftime. We all had confidence in each other and trust in each other to bring us back. We all had heart in the second half.”

Galvan had another highlight-filled performance, finishing with 15 points, two steals and two assists. But Engels, who played most of the final three quarters with foul trouble, was the steady presence for the Ramblers.

Engels scored a team-high 17 points and led a Loyola defense that limited Nazareth to 15 points and zero offensive rebounds in the second half – a stunning statistic considering the vast size differential between the two teams in favor of Nazareth. The Roadrunners upped their percentage by making their last two shots, both on strong drives to the basket by Stella Sakalas, to get to within 43-40 with 6.1 ticks left.

The Ramblers closed out the game when Engels sank a free throw in the final second.

“That was huge for us,” Engels said of Loyola’s second-half rebounding. “We had Clare Weasler guarding Olivia Austin. She did a great job. We all knew the boards would matter because a ton of their points came off offensive rebounds and layups. That was a huge, huge help for us. This team put in so much work since last spring.”

There were several oddities in the state championship game, most notably the lack of offensive rebounds by the Roadrunners. Nazareth shot 2-of-14 on 3-pointers but made all six free throws. The Roadrunners committed 17 turnovers. Loyola shot 7-of-19 on 3s but the all-guard lineup oddly had trouble taking care of the ball with 15 turnovers.

The Roadrunners (32-4), the defending Class 3A state champions, were outscored 15-2 in the third quarter.

“We liked where we were in the first half but for some reason in the second half we were very tentative on the offensive end,” Nazareth coach Eddie Stritzel said. “I thought we were more tentative on the defensive end, but some of that has to do with Loyola. They are very good. We are disappointed, but it was a heck of a run for us. We stopped going to the offensive boards and that hurt us.”

Nazareth almost accomplished a historic back-to-back state title feat in two classes but couldn’t overcome Loyola’s magic.

“We’ve been so close,” Stritzel said. “It made it easier for me because we had a goal to go after [it in 4A] rather than defending something. We came as close as we can. We are disappointed we couldn’t finish it, but we will hang our heads high.”

Austin, a three-sport star athlete who also won a state volleyball title at Nazareth, was outstanding in the first half. The 6-foot-1 Austin relied on her vast state experience and physical presence to overwhelm the Ramblers. She finished with 16 points, four rebounds and two assists in the game. Sakalas, a sophomore sensation, added 16 points and three boards.

Austin said the Ramblers made key adjustments in the second half.

“We didn’t come out as strong in the second half,” Austin said. “I think Loyola made a good effort to box us out even more than in the first half. … Loyola played bigger than they looked. They get their hands on everything. We played down to their height definitely. I think if we played a little bit taller, it would’ve been different.”

An amazing twist to Loyola’s splendid run to the state title game without a loss – despite playing a schedule filled with elite teams – is the obvious lack of size on the Ramblers.

Loyola succeeded all season even without a starter taller than 5-8. Nazareth rode its veteran-laden team, which is full of physically imposing players. The Roadrunners spent the entire first half toggling high efficiency and low efficiency, shooting 9-of-15 but committing eight turnovers. Nazareth committed three turnovers in its first four possessions before settling down, electing to pound the ball inside to Austin to take advantage of a decided height and strength advantage in the post to seize a 25-17 lead.

The Ramblers clung tightly to the Roadrunners for most of the first half, with Galvan performing her magic on three straight possessions by shaking loose for three baskets. But Galvan missed her final five first-half shots and Engels, who turned in an impressive stat line of 17 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and five steals in the March 1 semifinal win over Fremd, picked up her third foul with just more than three minutes left until halftime.

The Ramblers opened the third quarter with a scoring eruption, drilling four of their first six shots, including three of five from beyond the arc, to reverse the momentum. Galvan sank a 25-footer to put Loyola ahead 28-25 with 4:30 remaining in the third. Even with Engels in foul trouble, the Ramblers managed to pull away from the Roadrunners, partly because of tightening up on defense in the third to hold Nazareth to 1-of-7 shooting and no offensive rebounds. Loyola had a 32-27 lead at the end of the quarter. Galvan, a flashy player with numerous Power Five offers, fueled the turnaround with seven third-quarter points.

“This team is very tough and always fights back,” Loyola coach Jeremy Schoenecker said. “They are a phenomenal and resilient team.”

Austin said it was a disappointing way for Nazareth’s four senior starters – herself, point guard Wilson, forward Danielle Scully and shooting guard Amalia Dray – to end their careers. But Austin said the state title game loss doesn’t tarnish their careers.

“It was definitely an awesome run although second place wasn’t ideal for us. I couldn’t be more prouder of my entire team and it really feels like a family,” said Austin, a Dartmouth recruit. “There isn’t a doubt in my mind that there isn’t any ounce of failure all season. I think our growth was tremendous and we played awesome and very exciting games. I’m very lucky to be a part of this team.”