Dec. 6, 2008

Box Score

CHICAGO - UIC (5-2, 1-0 Horizon) closed the game on a 16-6 run as it held off a tenacious Loyola University Chicago (4-5, 0-1 Horizon) squad that was playing without the services of three key players tonight at the UIC Pavilion. The 83-69 setback in the Horizon League opener for both clubs snaps the Ramblers' two-game winning streak.

The first half was a back-and-forth affair for the first 12 minutes until Loyola took a 25-22 lead on a Justin Cerasoli three-pointer with 8:06 left to play. UIC seized momentum from there and closed the period on a 15-6 run to take a 37-31 advantage into the locker room at halftime. That lead would have been greater if not for a desperation three-pointer by Cerasoli from just inside the half-court stripe.

UIC and Horizon League leading scorer Josh Mayo tallied 14 points in the opening half while Loyola's top scorer, J.R. Blount, was held scoreless in the opening 20 minutes.

In the second half, Cerasoli, Darrin Williams and Andy Polka helped Loyola erase that six-point halftime deficit, and a bucket by Williams with 13:34 left gave the visitors a 46-45 lead, their first of the second period.

From there, the game see-sawed for the next two minutes until Jovan Ignjatovic's basket with10:47 remaining gave UIC a 52-50 lead it would never relinquish. A jumper by Cerasoli with 3:16 left to play in regulation brought the Ramblers within four points (67-63) but that was as close as they would get the rest of the way.

Cerasoli scored a career-best 24 points and added five rebounds, two assists, a pair of blocks and three steals for Loyola, while Williams added 12 points and six boards. Loyola shot 50 percent (27 for 54) from the field for the game, but turned the ball over 15 times.

Five Flames scored in double digits, led by Mayo's 22 points. Scott VanderMeer contributed 18 points and 14 rebounds for UIC.

Loyola takes a week off for final exams before resuming play on Dec. 13 at home versus UMKC.