CHICAGO (December 5, 2020)
 
In Short
Host Loyola University Chicago (1-0) used a suffocating defense in the first half, holding visiting Lewis (1-2) to just 5 of 31 shooting in the opening half, on its way to a 76-48 victory in its 2020-21 season opener. The Ramblers limited the Flyers to just 31.1 percent (19-for-61) field goal shooting, while connecting on 52.9 percent (27-for-51) of their own shots.
 
Coach Moser's Thoughts
"Early on we missed some shots, but we never stopped grinding and then we started to hit some shots. I really liked our depth and how we competed."
 
How It Happened
An Artese Stapleton jumper gave Lewis an early 6-5 lead, but consecutive three-pointers from Cooper Kaifes touched off an 18-3 run that gave Loyola a 23-9 edge and put the Maroon and Gold ahead to stay. Loyola's smothering defense would hold the Flyers to just five points the remainder of the half and just two points over the final 9:34 of the opening stanza.
 
Making his first appearance since March 2019, Kaifes, who missed last season due to a hip injury, provided a huge lift off the bench in the first half. The marksman knocked down a trio of treys and hauled in five rebounds in 10 minutes of action.
 
After taking a 39-11 lead into the locker room at halftime, Loyola scored 12 of the game's first 17 points in the second half to bump the advantage to 51-16. Lewis was able cut into the deficit, trimming the gap to 56-31 with 10:25 left to play, but the Ramblers put an end to the rally by stringing together a 14-3 run that featured a pair of threes from Tate Hall, to extend their lead to 70-34, the largest of the afternoon.
 
A Look At The Numbers

• Eleven Ramblers played at least 10 minutes and each of those individuals scored at least one point.
• Senior Tate Hall led all Loyola players with 17 points, hitting 6 of 10 shots from the field, including 3 of 6 from downtown, while Lucas Williamson joined him in double digits with 10 points.
• Kaifes finished with nine points and six rebounds in 14 minutes and Braden Norris, who making his Loyola debut and earned the starting nod, chipped in nine points and five assists with no turnovers.
• Bruno Williams scored a game-high 19 points for Lewis, which also received 18 points from Artese Stapleton.
• Loyola has won nine straight season openers and is 26-5 in its last 31 home games versus nonconference opponents.

 
Up Next
Loyola is scheduled to host Chicago State December 9 at 2 p.m.