Feb. 9, 2014
Box Score
WICHITA, Kan. - League-leading Wichita State picked up its 19th consecutive victory, using a strong second half push to defeat Loyola, 65-50, this afternoon at Koch Arena in Wichita, Kan. The Shockers improve to 20-2 overall (11-0 Missouri Valley), while Loyola falls to 9-14 (5-6 Missouri Valley).
The visiting Ramblers showed no signs of fear in the early minutes, jumping all over a Wichita State team that boasted an unblemished conference record heading into Sunday's game. Troy Hambric rattled off a quick seven points with the last two of that stretch punctuating a 9-0 Loyola run to open the game that put the Ramblers in front at the 17:35 mark. The Shockers struggled mightily from the field in the game's opening minutes, going nearly seven minutes without a field goal before Alex Harden ended the drought with 13:18 remaining in the opening stanza.
Harden's score appeared to awaken both the Shocker offense and the crowd inside Koch Arena. Wichita State scored six unanswered points to take its first lead of the afternoon (19-18) with 6:40 left in the half. Bailey Farley gave Loyola the lead back for good in the first half (22-20) when she connected on one of her two first-half threes with 5:59 remaining. A pair of free throws from Ayrealle Beavers extended the lead out to six (26-20) before Wichita State scored nine of the final 13 points in the half to slice the Rambler lead to one (30-29) at halftime.
Hambric and Farley led the way for the Maroon & Gold in the opening 20 minutes, each chipping in 10 points. Hambric grabbed five rebounds as well.
Hambric opened the half with a pair of free throws before Wichita State scored the next 12 points, capped off by a Harden layup, to take a 41-34 lead at the 13:15 mark. A Hambric bucket ended that run but the Shockers used another spurt to push their advantage into double figures (47-36) with 10:07 remaining. Loyola cut the margin down to eight on two different occasions but simply had no answer for Harden, who brought the lead back up to double digits for good at 53-43 with 5:13 left in the game, as the homestanding Shockers remained perfect in conference play.
Hambric and Farley finished with 15 points apiece to lead Loyola. Hambric also finished with team-high marks in both rebounds (7) and blocks (4). Alex Harden, who was named the Valley's Preseason Player of the Year by the league's coaches, finished with a game-high 24 points, shooting at a 9-for-18 clip.
The Ramblers return to action on Saturday (Jan. 15) when they make the trip down Interstate 55 to take on Bradley. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. from Renaissance Coliseum in Peoria, Ill.
