Jan. 15, 2006

Box Score

CHICAGO - Blake Schilb and Majak Kou combined for 48 points to help Loyola University Chicago (10-6, 2-4 Horizon) to a 75-61 win over city rival UIC (8-9, 1-4 Horizon) this afternoon at the Gentile Center. The victory snaps Loyola's four-game losing skid and gives the Ramblers their third consecutive decision over the Flames.

"I'm thankful for the win and happy with our effort," Loyola head coach Jim Whitesell said. "We have great respect for UIC. I thought we finished the first half well and defensively we got back to helping each other. Blake shot the ball extremely well and Majak's activity was great."

UIC jumped out to a quick 11-5 lead before Loyola went on a 15-3 run to take a 20-14 lead it never relinquished. Kou kick-started the run with a dunk and three-pointer. The Ramblers held a 36-27 lead at the half, thanks to 56 percent shooting from the field. Loyola's defense forced 10 Flame turnovers in the opening period and held them to 39 percent shooting.

Schilb scored the first two baskets of the second half and Kou added a free throw to increase Loyola's lead to 41-27. The Ramblers would lead by as many as 18 points (54-36) and UIC got no closer than 11 points (62-51) the rest of the way.

Loyola was paced by a season-high 27 points from Schilb, who also added six assists, four rebounds a pair of blocks and a steal, while hitting 11 of 18 shots from the field. He has now scored 66 points in his last two games against UIC. Kou chipped in 21 points, five rebounds, four steals, three assists and three blocks. The Ramblers buried 52 percent of their tries from the field for the game en route to their seventh victory in eight tries at home this season.

UIC was led by 12 points from Karl White.

Loyola continues its six-game homestand when it hosts Butler on Jan. 19.