DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - In the fourth and final game of the Loras Christmas Classic the Loras women's basketball team flourished behind a late rally to defeat Elmhurst, 73-65. As a team, the Duhawks collected a season-best 18 offensive rebounds, led by Riley Eckhart, who finished with six.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
• Off the tip, Kari Fitzpatrick found Riley Eckhart for the layup, three seconds into the game
• The Bluejays took their first lead of the night on a corner three at the 6:51 mark … This was Elmhurst's only lead of the game
• Hanna Stokes converted on back-to-back layup opportunities to help push the Duhawk lead to nine at the halftime break
• Loras maintained their lead through the third quarter thanks in part to five big offensive rebounds leading to nine second chance points
• With 1:40 to play in the third quarter, Macenzie Kraemer fed Hanna Stokes with a beautiful pass through several Bluejay defenders for the wide open layup, extending the late Duhawk lead to 11
• After Elmhurst narrowed the deficit to two with 4:01 to play, the Duhawks utilized a late 11-0 run to pave the way towards victory

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
MVP - Hanna Stokes (Loras)
Kari Fitzpatrick (Loras)
Jenna Taylor (Simpson)
Cassie Chubb (Simpson)
Kelly Weyhrich (Elmhurst)
Mackenzie Mathies (Alverno)

NOTABLES
• With a 43.8 3-point field goal percentage, Eckhart currently leads the American Rivers
• Kraemer posted a career-high six steals
• Taylor Brooks recorded a career-best three assists.
• The Duhawks held the lead for over 38 of the game's 40 minutes
• Loras scored 48 of their 73 points in the paint while holding Elmhurst to 16

UP NEXT
Loras returns to league play on Wednesday, Jan. 2 in Indianola against Simpson. The Storm are 10-3 after a pair of wins at the Christmas Classic. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m.