Feb. 13, 2009

Box Score

VALPARAISO, Ind. - Host Valparaiso (7-18, 4-10 Horizon) shot 51 percent from the field en route to a 71-47 victory over Loyola University Chicago (12-15, 4-11 Horizon) tonight at the Athletics-Recreation Center. The loss is the Ramblers' sixth straight overall and also their first at Valpo since 1978. Valparaiso head coach Homer Drew earned his 600th career win with the victory this evening.

Loyola, which reinserted Jordan Hicks and Marcus Thomas into the starting lineup for the first time since the first few games of the season, got off to a slow start, scoring only two points in the first 7:45 of the contest to fall behind, 13-2. The Ramblers were able to close the gap to 15-7 in the opening period, but wound up hitting only 8 of 25 shots from the field as Valpo took a 33-19 lead at the half.

"We tried to change it up with our starting lineup, but we got of to slow start," Loyola head coach Jim Whitesell said. "Valpo was much more aggressive than we were tonight. I congratulate Homer Drew on his 600th career win. Win or lose, he always is a class act."

The Crusaders extended their lead to 50-30 eight minutes into the second half, before the Ramblers mounted a furious rally. An 11-1 Loyola run, highlighted by eight points from Hicks over a four-minute stretch, brought the visitors within 10 points, at 51-41, but Valpo countered that punch with six unanswered points of its own and never looked back.

Jordan Hicks scored in double digits for the second straight game, tallying 11 points in his first start since December, to lead Loyola, which played without the services of three injured frontcourt players. Darrin Williams chipped in 10 points and five rebounds, while Aric Van Weelden (8 points) and J.R. Blount (8 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals) also turned in solid contributions.

Howard Little scored a game-high 17 points to spark Valparaiso.

Loyola is back in action Sunday when it travels to No. 15 Butler.