CHICAGO (December 6, 2022)
 
In Short…
Loyola University Chicago (4-5) held visiting Green Bay (1-8) to just 27 percent shooting from the field as it coasted to a 70-46 victory this evening inside Gentile Arena.
 
How It Happened
Braden Norris broke the seal for Loyola on the offensive end at the 17:40 mark, connecting on a corner three off a find by Tom Welch to put Loyola on top, 3-2.  Welch was back in the mix just over a minute later when, following a conventional three-point play by Philip Alston, he muscled up inside to push the lead to 8-4.  Jayden Dawson extended the gap to seven, 13-6, knocking down a corner trey of his own with 14:37 remaining.
 
Green Bay went ice cold from the field, going the final 8:37 of the first half without a made basket, and Loyola took full advantage.  Reigning Atlantic 10 Conference Rookie of the Week Ben Schwieger finished with authority to stretch the margin into double figures, 26-15, with just over seven minutes to play in the frame. 
 
Norris' second three of the night saw the lead reach 33-16 before a Welch layup stretched the gap to 35-16 with 2:28 to play.  A driving score by Norris in the closing minute capped off a half-ending 15-1 run for the Maroon & Gold as Loyola owned a 37-16 lead at halftime.
 
Nate Jenkins banked home a three with nearly three minutes gone in the second half to snap an 11:24 drought for the Phoenix without a make from the field and trim Loyola's lead to 39-21.  Green Bay later ripped off a 7-0 spurt, closing within 43-28 on a Garren Davis hookshot with 12:46 to play in regulation.  That would be the extent of any comeback for the visitors, as Marquise Kennedy hit from outside with 11:15 remaining to bump the lead back up to the 20-point mark, 48-28.  Green Bay would get no closer than 18 for the remainder of the evening as the Maroon & Gold capped off a winning homestand.
 
Inside The Box Score
- Loyola finished the night at 52 percent (28-for-54) from the field and operated at a 37-percent clip (7-for-19) from beyond the three-point arc.
- Norris connected on four triples as part of a game-best 18-point showing (7-9 FGs, 4-6 3FGs).
- Welch continued his steady play, finishing with 12 points (5-7 FGs, 2-2 FTs) and a team-high six rebounds.
- Alston rounded out a trio in double figures for the Ramblers, adding 11 points (4-8 FGs, 3-3 FTs).
- Fresh off a career-best 26-point showing against DePaul, Kennedy finished with five points, but dished out a season-high five assists, one helper shy of matching his career high in the category.
- Cade Meyer led Green Bay on the evening with 15 points (5-9 FGs, 1-2 3FGs, 4-4 FTs) as the Phoenix finished a paltry 16-for-59 from the floor.
 
Up Next
Loyola jets south to Atlanta, Ga. to take on Clemson as part of Holiday Hoopsgiving on Saturday, December 10 in a 6:30 p.m. (CT) tip-off from inside State Farm Arena.