TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (January 10, 2021)
 
In Short
Host Indiana State (4-6, 1-4 MVC) scored 18 unanswered points in the second half to wipe away an eight-point deficit and earn a 76-71 victory over Loyola University Chicago (7-3, 2-1 MVC) tonight at the Hulman Center. 
 
Coach Moser's Thoughts
"We got out-toughed tonight. Indiana State was really physical and we got passive. For whatever reason, we got passive and they smelled blood. The good thing is we have veteran guys and we'll respond."
 
How It Happened
Cooper Neese helped the Sycamores dart out of the starting blocks, scoring the game's first seven points as Indiana State took an early lead, while Loyola took a bit to get settled in at the offensive end of the floor.
 
After that initial punch from Neese, Loyola ran off 17 of the game's next 21 points, with Tom Welch providing a major spark off the bench, scoring seven points to move the Ramblers ahead, 17-11, with 11:44 remaining in the half.
 
Despite the early offensive struggles, Loyola's defense was suffocating and at one point held the Sycamores scoreless for nearly five and a half minutes as it built its lead to 21-11 before Neese drained another three to stop the bleeding.
 
Loyola's lead grew to as many as 13 (27-14) following back-to-back buckets from Cameron Krutwig, but Indiana State cut into the deficit with five straight points to force a Rambler timeout. 
 
The Ramblers took a 35-27 lead into the half, capitalizing on nine Indiana State turnovers that they turned into 14 points. Loyola also out-scored the Sycamores in the paint, 19-7, in the opening period.
 
Krutwig and Welch were a lethal combination, accounting for the bulk of Loyola's offensive production in the first eight minutes of the half. The duo scored 13 of the Ramblers' first 15 points of the period as Loyola led by as many as 11 points during that stretch.
 
Indiana State put together a 9-1 run that whittled a one-time, 11-point Loyola lead (50-39) down to 51-48 with 9:39 left to play, but Lucas Williamson buried a critical three-pointer from the right wing to stem the tide, then added a pair of free throws to push the advantage to 56-48.
 
A Cobie Barnes basket ignited a string of 18 unanswered Sycamores points that erased Loyola's lead and gave the hosts a 66-56 advantage with 1:32 remaining. During that decisive stretch, in which the Sycamores' pressure frustrated Loyola, the Ramblers committed six turnovers and misfired on seven attempts from the field.

Loyola was able to cut into Indiana State's lead in the closing 80 seconds, getting as close as three points (74-71) with three seconds remaining, but a pair of Sycamores free throws sealed the outcome.
 
A Look At The Numbers

• Welch scored a career-best 18 points off the bench, hitting 7 of 8 shots from the field, to lead the Ramblers, who also received 11 points and six rebounds from Krutwig.
• Williamson added 10 points, six boards and four assists, and Marquise Kennedy chipped in nine points, going 4-for-4 from the field.
• Tyreke Key scored a game-high 31 points and added 10 rebounds for Indiana State, which broke a four-game skid with the win.

 
Up Next
The Ramblers and Sycamores conclude the two-game set tomorrow night at 6 p.m. CT at the Hulman Center. That game will be televised live on CBS Sports Network.