DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - After a break for Christmas, the Loras women's basketball team kicked off the second half of its season on Friday night with a non-conference showdown against Alverno as part of the Loras Christmas Classic. Marissa Schroeder led the Duhawks with 16 points off the bench in her first game back from injury, pushing the Duhawks to an 8-3 on the season.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
• The Duhawks opened the first quarter trading baskets with the Inferno, but thanks to five big offensive rebounds, Loras extended its lead to eight points
• In the second quarter, the Duhawks increased their intensity, forcing four turnovers in the first six minutes on their way to a 19-6 run
• Loras held Alverno to two points in the final four minutes of the first half en route to a 49-25 halftime lead
• With 7:44 remaining in the third, Riley Eckhart threaded the needle to find Hanna Stokes for her 12th point of the contest and to push the Duhawk lead to 28
• Loras' defense smothered the Alverno attack in the third quarter holding the Inferno to eight points on 2-of-10 shooting
• The Duhawks continued to add on to their lead, eventually opening a 55-point gap with 1:54 to play

NOTABLES
• A total of 15 Duhawks recorded points in Friday's blowout
• Lydia Breunig recorded career-high's in points (8), rebounds (4), assists (3) and steals (3)
• Loras combined for 60 points off the bench
• The Duhawks out-rebounded Alverno, 50-29
• Loras is 4-0 this season when scoring 80-or-more points
• Ryleigh O'Brien made her season debut, finishing with six points in seven minutes

UP NEXT
Loras returns to Lillis Court on Saturday for the fourth and final game of the Loras Christmas Classic against Elmhurst. The Bluejays currently sit at 5-6 and are coming off a 92-57 loss against Simpson on Friday. Tip-off is slated for 4 p.m., following the conclusion of the Simpson versus Alverno game.