Nov. 22, 2010

Box Score |  Quotes

CHICAGO - Playing for the third time in five days and sixth time in the opening 11 days of the 2010-11 season, Loyola University Chicago (6-0) jumped out to an early lead and rolled past Alabama State (1-4), 74-46, tonight at the Gentile Center. The Ramblers, who are now off to their first 6-0 start since 1979-80, have also won 11 straight home games versus non-Horizon League opponents.

Terrance Hill's jumper broke a 2-2 tie just over a minute into the game, and that bucket started an 8-0 Loyola run that featured a pair of baskets from Ben Averkamp, as the Ramblers built a 10-2 advantage five minutes into the contest.

Alabama State would get within 17-13, but the Ramblers closed out the half on a 24-6 run to take a 41-19 lead at the intermission. In almost every game of the young season, Loyola had ridden the hot hands of its perimeter shooters to put together large first-half leads, but tonight the Ramblers connected on only 2-of-6 shots from behind the arc in the opening 20 minutes. Instead, Loyola built its lead by hitting 12-of-19 shots from inside the arc (56 percent), and draining 11-of-15 (73 percent) tries from the foul line in the opening period.

Geoff McCammon scored all 13 of his points in the first half, while Hill tallied all 11 of his points in that period and Averkamp also tossed in 11 points as Loyola forced 13 Hornets turnovers.

Alabama State was unable to get closer than 16 points in the second half and after it got within 53-37, Loyola used a 13-2 spurt to take a comfortable 66-39 lead and put the game out of reach.

Loyola forced 19 turnovers on the night and held Alabama State to 34 percent shooting. McCammon and Averkamp recorded 13 points each, with Averkamp also grabbing seven rebounds. Walt Gibler chipped in 12 points and Hill added 11 points and six boards for the Ramblers.

Jeff Middlebrooks scored 13 points off the bench to pace Alabama State.

Up next for Loyola is a Nov. 27 contest at San Francisco.