Box Score (PDF)

DES MOINES, Iowa (January 24, 2018)
 
In Short
Loyola University Chicago (17-4, 7-2 MVC) scored 12 unanswered points in the second half to break a tie and pull away for an 80-57 victory over Drake (12-10, 6-3 MVC) tonight at Knapp Center to claim sole possession of first place in the Missouri Valley Conference. The Ramblers have won six straight games.
 
Porter Moser's Thoughts
"We've got tough kids. There was no panic when Drake made that run. We trust each other and kept grinding. Our guys just warriored up."
 
How It Happened
Drake got out to an early 13-6 lead thanks to five points off the bench from Graham Woodward, but Loyola answered right back, scoring nine of the next 11 points, six from Aundre Jackson, to knot the score at 15.
 
Loyola guard Clayton Custer was flagged for his second foul of the period shortly thereafter and Drake responded with back-to-back buckets for a 19-15 lead before five straight points from Lucas Williamson and a basket by Cameron Krutwig put the Ramblers back on top, 22-19.
 
Drake fought back, closing out the period on a 12-7 run to take a 31-29 lead into halftime.
 
The Ramblers opened the second half with a flurry of baskets, commencing play with a 12-3 run that featured two baskets each from Custer and Krutwig, and gave them a 41-34 lead. Drake fought back however, tying the score at 51 on Nick McGlynn's banked in three-pointer from the top of the key.
 
Unfazed, Loyola answered right back, ripping off 12 straight points, including a pair of baskets from Ben Richardson and threes from Williamson and Custer, to claim a double-digit advantage (63-51). That lead would grow to as many as 25 points.
 
A Look At The Numbers

• Townes finished with a team-high 17 points, 15 of which came in the second half.
• Custer added 14 points, two boards, eight assists and a pair of steals, while Krutwig added 12 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
• Williamson threw in 10 points off the bench and Jackson added nine.
• Loyola shot 56.7 percent (34-for-60) from the field and totaled 21 assists to just six turnovers, while limiting Drake to 4-of-20 (.200) shooting from long range.
• Graham Woodward led the Bulldogs with 14 points.

 
Up Next
Loyola opens its second turn through the Missouri Valley Conference schedule Sunday afternoon (Jan. 28) when it hosts UNI on ESPNU at 3 p.m.