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Loyola University Chicago Athletics

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Clayton Custer
70
Winner Loyola Chicago LUC 16-4 (6-2 MVC)
54
Valparaiso VALPO 11-10 (2-6 MVC)
Winner
Loyola Chicago LUC
16-4 (6-2 MVC)
70
Final
54
Valparaiso VALPO
11-10 (2-6 MVC)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Loyola Chicago LUC 27 43 70
Valparaiso VALPO 23 31 54

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Custer’s Big Second Half Leads Loyola Past Valpo, 70-54

Ramblers win fifth straight, move into first-place tie in MVC

Boxscore (PDF)

VALPARAISO, Ind. (January 21, 2018)
 
In Short
Clayton Custer scored 15 of his team-high 18 points in the second half to help Loyola University Chicago (16-4, 6-2 MVC) earn a 70-54 victory over Valparaiso (11-10, 2-6 MVC) for its fifth straight win this afternoon at the Athletics-Recreation Center. With the win, the Ramblers move into a first-place tie with Drake.
 
Porter Moser's Thoughts
"I'm proud of our guys to come into a tough place to play and get a win. Clayton was phenomenal today. We turned the ball over too many times against Southern Illinois and today had 16 assists and only eight turnovers."
 
How It Happened
A Cameron Krutwig layup with 6:48 left in the first half opened up a string of nine consecutive Rambler points that gave Loyola a 23-15 lead. That edge grew to as many as 10 points (27-17) on a bucket by Donte Ingram, but the Crusaders would close the half with six unanswered points to send Loyola into the locker room on top, 27-23.
 
Loyola's defense was air-tight in the opening half limiting Valpo to 36 percent (9-for-25) from the field, including 13 percent (1-for-8) from beyond the arc.
 
The Ramblers took control in the second half with a 16-1 run that was punctuated by a three from Custer, who scored eight straight points during that stretch, that put the Ramblers on top, 47-33. Loyola had an answer to every Valpo rally in the second half and when the Crusaders chopped the lead down to nine (56-47), back-to-back baskets from Krutwig and Ben Richardson and a pair of free throws from Marques Townes bumped the LU advantage to 62-47 to seal the outcome.
 
Loyola was efficient in the second half, shooting 59 percent (16-for-27) from the field, including 57 percent (4-for-7) from three-point range.
 
A Look At The Numbers
  • In addition to his 18 points, Custer added two rebounds, five assists, four steals and did not commit a turnover. With Custer in the lineup this season, the Ramblers are 14-1.
  • Aundre Jackson pitched in 12 points off the bench, while Ingram added 11 points and seven rebounds.
  • Krutwig scored in double digits for the third straight outing, contributing 10 points and seven boards.
  • Bakari Evelyn led Valpo with a game-high 19 points.
 
Up Next
Loyola travels to Drake on Wednesday (Jan. 24) in a battle of first-place teams. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
 
 
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