HENRICO, Va. -- Loyola Chicago defeated St. Bonaventure 61-59 in the 2026 Betterment Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball Championship second round action, overcoming a game which saw eight ties and 14 different lead changes.
All-Conference Third Team selection Alex-Anne Bessette lead all scorers with her 20 points, which included the game-winning basket. Bessette drained four three-point shots in the winning effort.
Alexa Kinas added 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting and Brooklyn Vaughn scored 10 points. The Ramblers shot 49% from the field for the game, earning their second championship victory in program history.
"I think you're seeing the parity of this league and it's hard to beat a team three times," Loyola Chicago head coach Allison Guth stated. "They believe in each other and what we're doing. When you've got a freshman like Alex (-Anne Bessette) having the confidence, you really have something special. Alexa (Kinas) was unreal, you have some exciting pieces to the puzzle. This team, this is one of the toughest games to play but to be sitting here against a team like St. Bonnies, I am so stoked for this team to get a chance against Rhode Island."
Aaliyah Parker provided 16 points and matched a career high with her five steals. Laycee Drake earned her third double-double of the season, with her 13-point, 12-rebound effort.
"Credit to Loyola, obviously they've gotten us three times and kind of did it different each time," St. Bonaventure coach Jim Crowley explained. "We gave ourselves a really good chance late and they made a couple of big shots and we couldn't get a couple we need to drop to drop. I am really proud of our group and the way we competed. Hopefully we'll get another chance at a game, but this group has been as much fun as I've had coaching a group in a long time. I am proud of how they've represented the program and the university.
Loyola Chicago grabbed the game's first run, 8-0 and made six of its first eight shots from the field. Kinas helped spark things in the early going with a no look pass to set teammate Vaughn up for a layup.
The Ramblers saw Bessette convert a three-point shot during the run and a couple of possessions later get an offensive rebound which turned into another Vaughn basket.
Coming out of the timeout, St. Bonaventure's defense used active hands grabbing consecutive steals which led to baskets, bringing the teams back to within a single possession.
This response extended to 12-0 when Kaylee Krysztof buried a pair of three-point shots. A 4:21 long Ramblers scoreless streak ended when Alexus Mobley got a defender to fall on a fastbreak, and her shot found the bottom of the net.
St. Bonaventure's run gave it the slight 18-16 advantage after an action-packed first quarter.
Loyola Chicago's defense told the story as the second quarter got underway, blocking a three and two-point shots in succession leading to fastbreak opportunities as the Ramblers got back in front.
As the sides continued to trade baskets, Parker had the last shot and her three-point-shot beat the buzzer, finding the bottom of the net.
This seventh lead change placed the Bonnies in front 32-31 at halftime.
Loyola Chicago's seven-point run as the third quarter got underway gave it the largest advantage either team enjoyed to that point at six points.
St. Bonaventure battled it back to two points before spending its second timeout of the afternoon.
Drake was able to find the basket in the latter stages of the third quarter, her rebounding effort standing out as it provided the Bonnies with opportunities to come back.
A pair of her free throws meant that the teams would be tied 50-50 heading into the fourth quarter.
The Bonnies had the edge for much of the final period, but a Ramblers answer tied the game with inside of a minute to play. Then, Bessette drove and scored, giving Loyola Chicago the lead.
"Honestly, my coach came up to me and said 'have fun' and that's what I did," offered Bessette. "You have the whole court to you and I just feel it becomes silent. You know you have to make those plays to be a big player, but I'm just grateful to have a coaching staff and team that believes in me to put that opportunity in my hands."
"I knew the ball had to be in Alex-Anne's hands because she was scoring it beautifully," Guth added. "I knew if we set her up in the middle third with a double screen, the way they play... like Moses parted the Red Sea we were there for her. I knew that was going to be an opportunity, I didn't know how she would feel coming downhill off of it. You're the freshman and the one making the play, so i wanted her to understand this is what she works for and a relaxation mode before she goes and does it."
St. Bonaventure came out of its final timeout and could not match, meaning the Bonnies had to foul. Needing one more to send Loyola Chicago to the free throw line, Parker instead came up with a steal.
The Bonnies had the last possession and the Ramblers used both of their fouls to give. Pettinelli had a chance to win the game, which did not fall.
"That was my favorite year of basketball in my life, no recency bias," reflected Drake. "I feel like it was that because of the support from our teammates and coaches."
Loyola Chicago will advance to face top-seeded Rhode Island in the first of four quarterfinal matchups. The contest will tip off at 11 a.m. on USA Network. The Rams bested in the regular season meeting between the sides.