NEW YORK (Interstat) — In a game defined more by grit than grace, the Loyola Chicago Ramblers grinded out a 47-42 victory over the Fordham Rams in a defensive struggle Wednesday night at Rose Hill Gym.

The contest, witnessed by 406 fans, saw both teams endure prolonged offensive droughts, with the Ramblers using a pivotal third-quarter surge to seize control before holding off a frantic final-minute push from the Rams.

Loyola Chicago improved to 11-11 overall, while Fordham fell to 9-14.

The first half was an exercise in offensive frustration. Fordham established an early edge, closing the first quarter with a 13-9 lead behind early activity from Emma Wilson-Saltos of the Bronx, who scored five points in the period. The second quarter devolved into a slog, with both teams combining for a mere 10 points. The Rams managed just five in the frame, missing 10 of their 11 field goal attempts, and took an 18-14 lead into halftime. Loyola Chicago’s first-half totals of nine and five points per quarter underscored the struggle, as the team shot just 29 percent from the floor before the break.

The complexion of the game shifted decisively in the third quarter. The Ramblers found a rhythm, primarily through the driving efforts of guard Alexus Mobley. The Indianapolis native scored eight of her game-high 17 points in the period, attacking the basket to ignite a 16-point quarter for Loyola. A critical sequence saw Mobley convert a steal into a layup, and moments later, she assisted on a 3-pointer by Rosalie Mercille of Montreal. Another Mercille triple late in the quarter, assisted by Kira Chivers, capped the rally and gave the Ramblers a 30-29 lead heading into the final period. Fordham, meanwhile, was held to 11 points in the quarter on 4-of-15 shooting.

Loyola Chicago extended its lead to seven points early in the fourth quarter, but Fordham refused to capitulate. With under a minute to play and trailing by five, the Rams forced a turnover and Alexis Black of Washington, D.C., who led Fordham with 10 points, buried a deep 3-pointer with 22 seconds remaining to cut the deficit to 44-42.

The Rams immediately fouled Alexa Kinas, who calmly sank both free throws to restore a four-point cushion. After a Fordham timeout, Black’s attempt to tie the game with another three was off the mark, and Kinas secured the defensive rebound. She was fouled again and made one of two attempts with 2 seconds left to seal the five-point victory.

Kinas, from Kaukauna, Wisconsin, was instrumental throughout, contributing 14 points, three assists and a game-high four steals. Her backcourt partner, Mobley, added 17 points and three steals. For Fordham, Wilson-Saltos finished with 13 points and two assists, while Tia Morgan of Chicago added nine points.

The statistical sheet reflected the defensive battle. Fordham’s significant 13-2 advantage in offensive rebounds was negated by poor shooting; the Rams finished just 15 of 54 from the field for 27.8 percent and committed 18 turnovers. Loyola Chicago was only marginally better, shooting 42.1 percent on 16-of-38 shooting, but committed 15 turnovers of their own. The Ramblers’ efficiency from the line proved crucial, making 10 of 14 attempts compared to Fordham’s 7 of 9.

The most important stretch of the game was unquestionably Loyola Chicago’s third-quarter turnaround. After mustering only 14 points in the entire first half, the Ramblers nearly matched that output in the third quarter alone with 16. This surge, fueled by Mobley’s aggression and timely outside shooting, transformed a four-point halftime deficit into a lead they would not relinquish. It provided the necessary cushion to withstand Fordham’s late charge in a game where points were at a supreme premium.

According to Interstat’s ELO system, Fordham entered the game with a 55.2 percent probability to win.

Loyola Chicago travels to face VCU on Saturday. Fordham’s next contest is at La Salle, also on Saturday.