Boxscore (PDF)

CHICAGO (January 15, 2019)
 
In Short
Six players scored in double figures and Loyola University Chicago (11-7, 4-1 MVC) used a 15-1 run at the outset of the second half to seal the outcome as it rolled to a 71-54 victory over Valparaiso (11-7, 4-1 MVC) tonight at Gentile Arena for its 10^thstraight conference home win. The Ramblers, who have now won four of their last five games, shot 53.3 percent from the field to knock off a Crusaders squad that was previously unbeaten in Missouri Valley Conference action.
 
How It Happened
Back-to-back three-pointers from Cooper Kaifes and Clayton Custer extended Loyola's one-point edge to 15-8 as the teams engaged in a defensive struggle in the early part of the first half. Valpo was able to answer back with five straight points to close within two (15-13), but a bucket from Aher Uguak and then four straight points from Custer ran the Ramblers' advantage to 21-13, its largest of the game to that point.
 
After the Crusaders were able to work their way back within five points, at 24-19, Loyola closed out the period with a burst, out-scoring Valpo 9-4, the final points of the half coming courtesy of a three from Kaifes that just beat the shot clock seconds before the period came to an end.
 
Loyola saw Valpo shoot 50 percent (10-for-20) from the field in the first half, but the Ramblers' defense was stingy, forcing nine turnovers, while limiting the Crusaders to 23 points. Some solid perimeter shooting keyed the Maroon and Gold's first half success as they knocked down 5 of 8 attempts from beyond the arc.
 
Moser preaches winning the first five minutes of the second half and the Ramblers did just that, carrying over that momentum from the end of the first period. Loyola commenced the half by scoring the first eight points as part of a 15-1 run that put the contests out of reach and allowed the lead to swell to 48-24 with 14:57 remaining.
 
From that point, Loyola would lead by as many as 29 points (66-37) and Valpo's deficit was never fewer than 20 points until the final minute of play. 
 
A Look At The Numbers

• Uguak was one of three Ramblers to notch a team-best 12 points tonight, adding four rebounds and three assists to his stat line. Krutwig also pitched in 12 points, five boards and a pair of assists, while Kaifes came off the bench to knock down four three-pointers and corral a season-high five rebounds.
• Lucas Williamson had his best game since returning last week from a broken hand, tallying 11 points, seven boards, three assists and a pair of steals.
• Custer and Marques Townes recorded 11 points apiece to round out Loyola's long list of double-digit scorers.
• Loyola had another good night shooting the ball from the perimeter, hitting 8 of 15 attempts (.538) from beyond the arc.
• Markus Golder led Valpo, which was held 18 points below its season scoring average, with 16 points

 
Up Next
The Ramblers get back on the road this weekend when they travel to Indiana State January 19 at 1 p.m. CT. That contest will be televised live on ESPNU.