Dec. 3, 2009

Box Score

GREEN BAY, Wis. - Four Ramblers scored in double digits but it wasn't enough as Loyola University Chicago (4-2, 0-1 Horizon) dropped a 90-69 decision to Green Bay (7-2, 1-0 Horizon) tonight at the Resch Center in the Horizon League opener for both teams. The loss snaps Loyola's four-game winning streak.

"After the first media timeout, we really got it taken to us by Green Bay," Loyola head coach Jim Whitesell said. "(Rahmon) Fletcher was outstanding for them tonight and we just didn't have an answer for him."

Fletcher was on fire for the Phoenix in the opening half as he scored 21 of his game-high 29 points during the opening period, including 10 of his team's first 12 points. A Fletcher basket sparked a 10-2 Green Bay run that opened up a 20-9 lead just seven minutes into the game and Loyola was unable to get closer than eight points the rest of the night.

A layup by Marcus Thomas with 2:29 left in the first half got the Ramblers within 11 (35-24), but Green Bay closed out the half on a 14-2 run to take a 49-26 lead into the break.

Green Bay led by as many as 28 points in the second half before Loyola chipped away at the deficit, but the Ramblers were unable to get closer than 17 points the remainder of the way.

Yet again, the Loyola bench was productive, outscoring the Green Bay bench. 38-22. Both Thomas (13 points) and Walt Gibler (10 points) reached double digits off the bench for the Ramblers, while Terrance Hill and Geoff McCammon tallied 11 points apiece.

In addition to Fletcher's game-high 29 points, Green Bay received 17 points from Troy Cotton.

Loyola looks to bounce back when it travels to Milwaukee Saturday night for a 7 p.m. showdown.