Feb. 4, 2010

Box Score |  Quotes

CHICAGO - Five players scored in double figures and the team shot a season-best 58 percent (34-for-59) from the field as Loyola University Chicago (13-9, 4-8 Horizon) rallied from a 10-point first-half deficit to post a 92-85 victory over Youngstown State (8-14, 2-10 Horizon) in overtime at the Gentile Center tonight. The 92 points are the most scored by the Ramblers since a 96-74 victory over John Carroll on Nov. 17, 2006.

Both teams got off to ridiculously hot starts as Loyola connected on 14 of its first 16 tries from the field, while Youngstown State hit 13 of its first 20 attempts. Despite shooting a robust 74 percent (17-for-23) from the field in the opening period, the Ramblers found themselves down 53-45 at the half due to the Penguins' marksmanship from long range. YSU buried nine three-point field goals in the opening 20 minutes and led by as many as 10 points (51-41) in the half.

Loyola strung together an 18-7 run spanning both halves, to take a 59-58 lead with 15:21left in regulation. The teams would exchange leads over roughly the next 11 minutes until a three-pointer by Marcus Thomas turned a two-point Loyola deficit into a 73-72 lead with 4:46 remaining. A lay-up by Walt Gibler and a free throw from Ben Averkamp gave the Ramblers a four-point edge (76-72) with two and a half minutes left, but four Penguin free throws knotted the score.

Gibler's lay-up with 40 seconds left put the Ramblers on top 78-76, but a bucket by Sirlester Martin 20 seconds later knotted the score once again. Andy Polka missed a three-pointer with two seconds remaining and DeAndre Mays' desperation shot fell short to force the Ramblers into overtime for the first time since March 1, 2008.

Geoff McCammon got Loyola off to a strong start in overtime, converting a lay-up just 23 seconds into the extra session. A pair of foul shots by Dallas Blocker evened the game and 80-80, but a McCammon three ignited a mini 9-2 run that sealed the outcome as the Ramblers snapped a four-game losing skid.

McCammon finished with a game-high 25 points, one shy of his career high set earlier this season at UIC, and tied a personal best with five rebounds, while playing all 45 minutes of the contest. Courtney Stanley played arguably his finest game as a Rambler, finishing with a career-best 18 points, to go along with nine assists, three boards and a pair of steals. Thomas chipped in a career-high 17 points off the bench, while Averkamp (12 points, 4 boards, 4 blocks), Gibler (10 points, 7 rebounds) and Polka (8 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists) all were key contributors in the win.

Kelvin Bright scored 22 points to lead Youngstown State.

Loyola closes out the weekend homestand when it hosts Cleveland State Saturday at 3 p.m.