Nov. 17, 2006

Box Score

CHICAGO - Four players scored in double figures to lead Loyola University Chicago (3-1) to a 96-74 victory over John Carroll (0-1) in its home opener tonight at the Gentile Center. With the win, the Ramblers claimed their home opener for the seventh time in the last eight years.

Loyola used a 10-0 run in the first half to turn a two-point deficit into a 21-13 lead and from there, never looked back. The Blue Streaks would claw back and get within a point at 22-21, but the Ramblers responded with an 11-2 run to take a commanding 33-23 lead. Blake Schilb scored 17 of his 21 points in the opening period to help Loyola seize control of the game.

John Carroll never got closer than 12 points in the second half and the Ramblers led by as many as 30 points before clearing the bench late in the game.

Loyola owned a decisive 39-15 edge in free-throw attempts and forced 21 Blue Streak turnovers. Schilb and J.R Blount scored a team-high 21 points, with Schilb adding six rebounds and Blount chipping in five assists and four steals. Blount ran his string of double-figure scoring efforts to six games.

Tracy Robinson came off the bench to score a career-high 15 points and Majak Kou added 13 points and three blocks. Sophomore forward Darrin Williams also scored his first career tallies, hitting a free-throw, then throwing down a monster one-handed slam dunk to finish with three points.

John Carroll was led by 20 points and a game-high nine rebounds from Brandon Mimes.

Loyola, which was won eight straight games at the Gentile Center versus non-Horizon League foes, is back in action Monday, Nov. 20, when it hosts San Diego.