Jan. 9, 2010
Box Score
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - For the second straight game, Loyola University Chicago (11-5, 2-4 Horizon) mounted a spirited second-half rally but in the end had that effort come up short. Loyola came up on the wrong end of a 71-67 decision at Youngstown State (7-8, 2-4 Horizon) tonight at the Beeghly Center and the Ramblers have dropped three straight games after opening the season at 11-2.
Youngstown State jumped out to a 12-4 lead in the first four and a half minutes before Loyola ripped off a 16-7 run over the next eight-plus minutes to take a 20-19 advantage, their first of the contest. The teams would trade leads for the remainder of the first half until a pair of free throws from Courtney Stanley turned a one-point Rambler lead into a 31-28 advantage with a minute left in the period.
Sirlester Martin hit a jumper on the Penguins' next possession and then hit a bucket just before the horn sounded at the end of the half to give the Penguins a 32-31 lead at the break. Although it trailed by a point, Loyola hit 11 of 20 shots (55 percent) in the opening stanza.
The Penguins clung to a 52-51 lead with seven and a half minutes remaining but then rattled off a 12-4 run to open up a 64-55 edge with 2:53 left to play. From there, Loyola ratcheted up the defensive pressure forcing three turnovers while also being efficient on offense, and in only one minute and 38 seconds, completely washed away the deficit to even the score at 65-65. Terrance Hill scored eight of his team-high 18 points in that furious comeback.
With 56 seconds remaining, DeAndre Mays hit a basket and then buried a free throw after being fouled on the go-ahead score to give YSU a 68-65 lead. Two free throws by Walt Gibler got the Ramblers back within a point before a wild finish ensued.
Andy Polka blocked a Sirlester Martin under the basket shot and a mad scramble for the ball ensued before YSU's Dallas Blocker emerged with the ball, hit a lay-up and was fouled with nine seconds left to give the hosts a 70-67 lead. Blocker's free throw following a timeout sealed the outcome.
Hill scored all 18 of his points in the second half to lead Loyola, which shot 50 percent (23-for-46) from the field for the night. Gibler added 12 points off the bench and Ben Averkamp and Stanley contributed 11 and 10 points respectively.
Mays tallied a game-high 30 points to lead Youngstown State.
Loyola is off until Jan. 15 when it concludes a three-game road swing by traveling to city rival UIC. That contest is slated for 8 p.m. and will be televised on ESNPU.
