Boxscore (PDF)

CHICAGO (February 17, 2019)
 
In Short
Keandre Cook's jumper with 3:23 remaining gave visiting Missouri State (15-12, 9-5 MVC) the lead for good as the hot-shooting Bears held on for a 65-61 victory over Loyola University Chicago (16-11, 9-5 MVC) this afternoon at Gentile Arena. The loss snaps the Ramblers' eight-game winning streak at Gentile Arena and drops them into a three-way tie for first place in the Missouri Valley Conference standings with Missouri State and Drake.
 
Coach Moser's Thoughts
"Missouri State came in and earned it. They made 11 of 16 threes. My hat's off to them."
 
How It Happened
Missouri State got off to a sizzling start, hitting its first five field goal attempts, two of which came from beyond the arc, to build a 12-5 lead. Loyola charged back however, netting eight unanswered points as part of a larger 11-2 run, to grab its first lead of the day.
 
A Clayton Custer three-pointer from the left corner with 1:35 remaining in the period put the Ramblers ahead, 26-25, but two free throws from Cook 30 seconds later moved the Bears back on top, 27-26, a lead they took into halftime.
 
Loyola forced 10 Missouri State turnovers in the opening 20 minutes, but the Bears connected on 58.8 percent (10-for-17) of their field goal tries, hitting 5 of 8 attempts (.625) from three-point range. The Ramblers' offense was also efficient, sinking 10 of 18 shots (.556) from the field, including 50 percent (2-for-4) from beyond the arc.
 
Missouri State's deft touch from long distance carried over to the second half as it buried its first four treys, the last one courtesy of Ryan Kreklow from about seven feet behind the arc, as part of a 12-5 run that extended the Bears' lead to 39-31, its largest of the day to that point.
 
The Ramblers had a response to that MSU run though, and six points from Marques Townes were part of an 8-0 spurt that knotted the score at 39-39. But the barrage of threes continued for the Bears as they hit two more as part of a 12-4 run over the next four and a half minutes to seize a 51-43 edge with 8:58 remaining and force Loyola to burn a timeout.
 
Loyola showed its resolve, answering back with a 13-4 run that featured seven points from Townes and was punctuated by a layup from Cameron Krutwig that put the Ramblers in front, 56-55, with 4:00 left to play.
 
But, Cook's basket on the Bears' next possession gave them the lead for good, although the Ramblers had their opportunities to tie the game in the final minute but were unable to connect from the foul line down the stretch.
 
A Look At The Numbers

• Krutwig finished with a career-best 24 points and added six rebounds, while Townes added 23 points, on 9 of 14 shooting, six boards, five assists and four steals. The duo combined to take 34 of the Ramblers' 43 field goals on the day.
• The loss also ends Loyola's 13-game winning streak in Valley play at Gentile Arena. The Ramblers' last loss at home in league play prior to today was a 61-57 setback versus Indiana State January 3, 2018.
• Loyola shot 58.1 percent (25-for-43) from the field and forced 15 Missouri State turnovers, but the Bears were unstoppable from long range, connecting on 11 of 16 attempts (.688) from three-point territory, shooting 63.2 percent (24-for-38) overall from the field.
• Cook finished with a team-high 18 points for Missouri State, which also got 16 points and nine rebounds from Tulio Da Silva and seven points and 10 assists from Josh Webster.

 
Up Next
Loyola hosts Evansville Wednesday night (Feb. 20) at 6 p.m. CT.