Nov. 13, 2010

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CHICAGO - Loyola University Chicago (2-0) connected for seven three-point field goals in the first half to build a 15-point halftime lead and held on for an 86-74 victory over Indiana State (1-1) tonight in game four of the Nick Kladis Classic. The Ramblers, who got 10 or more points from five players tonight, improve to 2-0 for the first time since 2007-08.

Consecutive threes by Geoff McCammon and Jordan Hicks helped spark a game-changing 30-7 run for Loyola in the first half. The Ramblers, who shot 53 percent (17-for-32) from the field in the opening period, connected for five triples in that stretch to turn a two-point deficit into a 40-19 lead with 2:19 remaining in the half.

Indiana State chipped away at the Ramblers' lead in the second half, but each time the Sycamores got the deficit under 10 points, Loyola answered back. Jordan Printy's three-pointer with just over 10 minutes got the Sycamores within seven points (59-52), but McCammon scored five straight points to push the Loyola advantage back to 12.

Loyola led 70-55 with 6:49 remaining before Indiana State mounted one final charge. A three by Printy at the 2:33 mark capped a 13-4 run and got the Sycamores within six points, at 74-68. Once again, the Ramblers had an answer as Hicks drained a three-pointer from the right wing and Ben Averkamp beat the shot clock with another three, from nearly the same spot on the floor, to give Loyola an 80-68 advantage and Indiana State would get no closer than nine points the rest of the way.

Hicks had another outstanding performance as he continues to round back into form after missing 18 games due to injury last season. The junior notched a game-high 19 points and added six rebounds and three assists, while hitting 6-of-7 shots from the field. Terrance Hill, who was back in the starting lineup after coming off the bench last night, chipped in 17 points and seven boards. McCammon bounced back from a rough opener (2-for-7 FG) to produce 15 points in only 22 minutes off the bench.

Averkamp added 13 points, Walt Gibler tallied 10 points and Andy Polka registered six points and a game-high 10 rebounds for Loyola.

Jake Kelly and Printy scored 15 points apiece for Indiana State.

In Saturday's earlier game at the Nick Kladis Classic, Texas-Pan American cruised past Eastern Kentucky, 67-53.

Loyola looks to improve to 3-0 for the first time since 2005-06 when it hosts Texas-Pan American in the final game of the Nick Kladis Classic at 5:30 p.m. tomorrow. Eastern Kentucky will face Indiana State at 3 p.m. Sunday.