ST. LOUIS (March 6, 2021)
 
In Short
Loyola University Chicago (23-4) used some hot shooting at the start of both halves and had four players score in double figures to secure a 65-49 victory over fourth-seeded Indiana State (15-10) this afternoon in the semifinal round of the MVC Championship. With the win, the No. 20 Ramblers will play in the MVC Championship title game for the second time in the last four years.
 
Coach Moser's Thoughts
"It's hard to win championships without hitting shots and we know we can shoot it. You can tell the pressure is off after winning the regular season title."
 
How It Happened
Like yesterday, Loyola came out on fire, hitting 7 of its first 9 shots, including all three of its triple tries, in building a 17-6 lead in the first six minutes of play. Five Lucas Williamson points were part of a 9-0 spurt that turned an 8-6 game into a that aforementioned 17-6 advantage. 
 
Two more threes from Norris and Keith Clemons' second trey of the day helped push the top-seeded Ramblers' edge to 28-13. Loyola buried 6 of its first 7 attempts from beyond the arc, with Norris sinking three during that initial 28-13 blitz. 
 
From that point in the first half, Loyola did not allow Indiana State to get closer than 11 points and took a 42-28 lead into the break, behind 11 points from Clemons.
 
Williamson keyed a half-opening 9-2 spurt with a pair of triples that pushed the Ramblers' advantage to 51-30 and forced Indiana State to burn its third timeout of the afternoon with 15:44 left in the contest.
 
Minutes later, the Sycamores ripped off eight unanswered points to trim a 55-34 deficit to 55-42, but three straight Cameron Krutwig buckets bumped Loyola's lead to 61-42 with just under eight minutes remaining to cement the outcome.
 
A Look At The Numbers

• Krutwig produced his 21^stcareer double-double, finishing with 18 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and three blocks and Williamson totaled 14 points and five boards.
• Clemons tossed in 12 points and dished out three assists, while Aher Uguak delivered 10 points.
• Loyola, the nation's No. 1 scoring defense, held the Sycamores to 49 points and 38.5 percent (20-for-52) shooting from the field, limiting First Team All-MVC guard Tyreke Key to 11 points on 4 of 13 shooting.

 
Up Next
Loyola will play either No. 2 seed Drake or No. 3 seed Missouri State in tomorrow's MVC Championship title game. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT on CBS.