CHICAGO (January 16, 2020)
 
In Short
Loyola University Chicago (12-6, 4-1 MVC) used an 11-0 run in the second half to pull away for a 64-48 victory over Southern Illinois (8-10, 2-3 MVC) tonight at Gentile Arena. The win is the Ramblers' ninth in the last 11 games and keeps them tied atop the Missouri Valley Conference standings with Bradley and Northern Iowa. Loyola's defense limited the Salukis to just 35.2 percent (19-for-54) shooting on the night.
 
Coach Moser's Thoughts
"I thought Southern Illinois did a great job defensively, but I'm proud of our toughness and for chipping away at it."
 
How It Happened
In former Loyola associate head coach Bryan Mullins' first trip to Gentile Arena since taking the SIU head coaching position in the spring, Loyola strung together eight unanswered points, the final three of which came on a three-pointer from Keith Clemons, to turn a one-point deficit into a 19-12 advantage. Southern Illinois charged right back however, scoring nine of the game's next ten points to seize a 21-20 lead with 5:23 remaining in the half. 
 
Loyola didn't trail for long and reclaimed the lead on the very next possession on a basket by Tate Hall and nearly two minutes later a three from Marquise Kennedy would expand the edge to as many as five points before the Maroon and Gold took a 31-26 lead into the locker room.
 
The Ramblers, who shot 57.7 percent (15-for-26) from the field in the second half alone, were able to gain a bit of separation, and for all intents and purposes seal the outcome, thanks to an 11-0 run that culminated with a three from Hall that extended their lead to 51-36. That string of 11 unanswered points was part of a larger 18-5 surge that was capped with a Cameron Krutwig layup that stretched the favorable advantage to 58-41, Loyola's largest of the contest.
 
A Look At The Numbers

• Kennedy provided a big boost coming off the bench, totaling a game-high 17 points, while adding three rebounds and a pair of blocks.
• Hall filled out the stat sheet, posting 16 points, five rebounds and four assists, and Clemons equaled a season high with 13 points.
• Eric McGill led Southern Illinois with 14 points.
• Loyola shot 54.2 percent (26-fo-48) from the field and 50 percent (6-for-12) from three-point range, improving to 7-0 this year when connecting on at least 40 percent of its tries from beyond the arc.

 
Up Next
Loyola travels to Illinois State Sunday (Jan. 19) for a nationally televised game on ESPNU versus Illinois State.