Jan. 22, 2009
Box Score
DAYTON, Ohio - Loyola University Chicago (11-9, 3-5 Horizon) held Wright State (11-8, 5-3 Horizon) without a field goal for nearly 10 minutes in the second half, but failed to connect on a field goal of its own in the final 15:21, as the Raiders earned a 68-47 victory tonight at the Nutter Center. The loss is only the Ramblers' fifth in their last 14 contests.
The game was a tale of two halves as both clubs shot the ball extremely well in the first half and combined for 12 three-point field goals. Wright State buried eight treys in the opening half and shot a blistering 59 percent from the field to open up a 41-30, halftime lead. Loyola was efficient in its own right on the offensive end, connecting on 44 percent of its shots and hitting four three-pointers.
Despite the hot long-range shooting by the host Raiders, the Ramblers were right in the ball game and when Walt Gibler hit a jumper with 8:34 left in the opening period, trailed just 24-21. However, Wright State went on a 12-2 run from there to open up a 36-23 lead, its largest of the half.
The second half was the polar opposite as the defenses tightened up. Loyola held WSU in check, forcing the Raiders into 30 percent shooting from the field while holding the hosts without a three-pointer. Loyola went cold from the field itself however, hitting only 15 percent from the field in the final 20 minutes.
A three-pointer by Gibler at the 15:21 mark of the second half brought Loyola within four points (44-40), but that would be the last basket the Ramblers would score the remainder of the contest. Loyola failed to capitalize on golden opportunities to further cut into the deficit, hitting only 3 of 8 shots from the foul line over the next six minutes. Wright State pulled away thanks to a 14-0 run that turned a 49-43 lead into a 63-43 advantage.
J.R. Blount scored a team-high 10 points for Loyola, while Gibler added nine points and five rebounds. Leon Young chipped in seven points off the bench. Troy Tabler scored a game-high 16 points to pace Wright State.
Loyola is back in action Saturday when it travels to Detroit for a 2 p.m. Eastern game that will be televised lie on Fox Sports Detroit.
