Feb. 5, 2012

Box Score

Post-Game Player Press Conference Video

Post-Game Coach Press Conference Video

CHICAGO - Senior Walt Gibler became the 38th player in Loyola University Chicago history to score 1,000 career points, but the Ramblers (5-18, 0-13 Horizon) were unable to overcome a hot shooting Youngstown State (13-10, 8-5 Horizon) squad as the Penguins picked up an 80-63 victory at Gentile Arena this afternoon. Gibler's milestone basket, scored on a put-back, came at the 11:28 mark of the second half.

"We were short-handed against an explosive team," Loyola Head Coach Porter Moser said. "(Kendrick) Perry exposed our guard play. He's so quick and can shoot it. Walt came back today and gave us a good effort. I'm happy he was able to score his 1,000th point at home, but I feel bad we couldn't get him a victory."

Youngstown State was able to capitalize on every one of Loyola's 18 turnovers, converting those into 36 points, and the three-headed monster of Kendrick Perry (28 points), Blake Allen (19 points) and Ashen Ward (11 points) combined to shoot 9-of-16 (56 percent) from three-point range.

A jumper by Jonathon Gac with 13:19 left in the first half gave the Ramblers a 12-11 lead, but Perry's jumper, one of his 11 field goals on the day, at the 12:44 mark gave the Penguins the lead for good. Loyola stayed within striking distance the remainder of the period, never falling behind by more than seven points.

Loyola trailed 37-30 at the half, but Youngstown State seized control of the game by opening the second period with nine unanswered points as part of a 19-6 run. The Ramblers were able to get within 14 points on a pair of occasions, the last time coming at the 7:17 mark on a jumper by Jordan Hicks, but the Penguins responded with nine consecutive points of their own to open up a 78-55 lead.

Gibler led Loyola with 18 points and added five rebounds to get within nine boards of 500 for his career. Hicks added a season-high 16 points, his most since November 20, 2010, and hauled in six rebounds. Joe Crisman chipped in nine points.

Perry finished with 28 points, six assists and seven steals to lead Youngstown State, which shot 63 percent (31 for 49) from the field.

Loyola is off until February 11 when it hosts city rival UIC at 1 p.m.