Boxscore (PDF)

ST. LOUIS (March 4, 2018)
 
In Short
Loyola University Chicago (28-5) continued its magical season by earning its first NCAA Tournament berth since 1985 with a 65-49 victory over No. 3 seed Illinois State (18-15) this afternoon in the Missouri Valley Conference Championship at Scotttrade Center. The win not only gives the Ramblers their first NCAA berth in 33 years, but is also their 10^th victory in a row.
 
How It Happened
Loyola got off to a great start, scoring seven straight points, capped by a three from Ben Richardson, to open up a 9-2 lead in the opening minutes, while a feisty Rambler defense forced Illinois State to misfire on nine of its first 11 shots from the field.
 
The Ramblers led by as many as seven (16-9) before the Redbirds put together a 7-2 run that trimmed Loyola's lead down to a basket at 18-16. Loyola answered that ISU punch with one of its own and a pair of Aundre Jackson free throws sparked a 9-2 spurt that featured the rare four-point play from Donte Ingram, as the leaded swelled to 27-18.
 
Illinois State was unable to get closer than six points the rest of the period, and a Lucas Williamson's second three of the afternoon with one minute remaining allowed Loyola to take a 36-27 lead into the half.
 
Loyola's defense was air tight in the opening 20 minutes, limiting the Redbirds to 32.4 percent (11-for-34) from the field and 25 percent (3-for-12) from long distance. Meanwhile, the Ramblers, who had their shooting struggles in the first two games at Arch Madness this weekend, knocked down 6-of-12 from three-point range.
 
A 7-3 run, punctuated by a three from Richardson, to open the second half provided Loyola with its largest lead to that point, at 43-30, and forced Illinois State to burn a timeout and from there, the outcome was never in doubt.
 
The Ramblers would go on to lead by as many as 20 points (62-42) on Ingram's fourth three of the afternoon, with 4:17 left to go.
 
Richardson and Marques Townes were named to the MVC Championship All-Tournament Team, while Ingram was hailed as the tournament's most valuable player.
 
A Look At The Numbers

• Loyola limited Illinois State to 31.8 percent (21-for-66) shooting from the field and 20 percent (5-for-25) from three-point range.
• Ingram finished with 18 points, eight rebounds and a pair of steals, while Cameron Krutwig added 11 points and nine boards.
• Richardson tallied eight points, five boards and two assists and Williamson pitched in seven points.
• Milik Yarbrough and Phil Fayne led the Redbirds with 12 points each.

 
Up Next
Loyola will find out its NCAA Tournament opponent and destination next Sunday (March 11).