Dec. 22, 2007

Box Score

KANSAS CITY - With a vicious winter storm raging outside, Loyola University Chicago (4-7) was held without a field goal for nearly nine minutes in the second half as host UMKC (5-8) rallied to record a 77-66 victory at Municipal Auditorium this afternoon. Despite the loss, the Ramblers owned a commanding 44-29 advantage in the battle of the boards.

Although it shot only 30 percent from the field in the opening half, Loyola led by as many as 13 points (22-9) and took an eight-point lead into the break (31-23). Junior forward Leon Young notched 10 points and hauled in seven boards in the opening 20 minutes, and dominated on the glass, outrebounding the Kangaroos, 28-12.

Loyola led 37-27 with 17:51 left in the game before UMKC went on a 26-6 run to open up a 53-43 edge it would never surrender. The Kangaroos, who got a team-high 24 points from Tim Blackwell, 17 of which he scored in the second half, shot 56 percent from the field in the final period.

Young tallied a career-best 24 points and hauled in 13 rebounds for his second double-double of the season to pace the Ramblers. Justin Cerasoli added 14 points, while Tracy Robinson chipped in 12 points.

The Ramblers are off until Dec. 29 when they host Saint Mary's (Minn.) at 7 p.m.