Box Score (PDF)

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (December 22, 2017)
 
In Short
Cameron Krutwig scored a season-high 18 points, but a Loyola University Chicago (10-3, 0-1 MVC) squad that was playing with only eight healthy scholarship players tonight, came up on the short end of a 64-59 decision at Missouri State (11-3, 1-0 MVC) in the Missouri Valley Conference opener for both teams.
 
How It Happened
Missouri State was hot from the field early, hitting 6 of its first 8 field goal attempts and the Bears led by as many as 10 points (17-7) before Loyola staged a comeback, mostly thanks to the play of Krutwig. A bucket by the freshman center sparked a 12-3 surge that cut the deficit to 20-19 with 6:19 left in the period. Krutwig accounted for six of the Ramblers' 12 points during that spurt, while Aundre Jackson added four.
 
Reggie Scurry's dunk stopped the Ramblers' momentum and touched off a half-closing 13-7 run that sent the Bears into the break with a 33-26 lead.
 
Loyola opened the second half with a flourish, scoring the first eight points and grabbed a 34-33 lead that would reach as many as four in the period. But, following Adarius Avery's basket to make it 46-42, the Bears used a 12-4 run, that included a go-ahead conventional three-point play from Reggie Scurry, to stake claim to a 54-50 advantage.
 
The Ramblers got within a point, 57-56, on Krutwig's basket with 3:32 left to go, but a jumper by Alize Johnson stretched the Bears' lead back to 59-56.
 
A Look At The Numbers
- Townes added 14 points, while Jackson pitched in 10.
-  Missouri State was led by Johnson's 24 points and 11 boards.
- Krutwig added five rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a pair of steals
 to go with his season-high 18 points.
 
Up Next
The Ramblers are off until December 30 when they make their first appearance at Gentile Arena in three weeks and host MVC rival Evansville at 3 p.m.