Jan. 25, 2007

Box Score | Quotes

CHICAGO - A.J. Graves scored 10 of Butler's (18-2, 6-1 Horizon) 11 points in overtime to lead the 14th-ranked Bulldogs past host Loyola University Chicago (13-8, 4-4 Horizon), 70-66, in a thrilling contest tonight at the Gentile Center. The back-and-forth game featured 12 ties and 17 lead changes. The loss snaps the Ramblers' seven-game home winning streak.

Butler led by as many as 10 points in regulation and held a 45-37 lead with 13:11 left before Tom Levin's three-pointer sparked a 12-5 run that culminated with Blake Schilb's jumper giving the Ramblers a 52-50 lead with 6:55 remaining, their first since the nine-minute mark of the opening half. Graves scored the next four points to put Butler back on top and the teams exchanged baskets the rest of the way until, with the game tied at 59, Schilb missed a jumper with three seconds left to send it to overtime.

In overtime, Loyola took a 66-65 lead on Schilb's three-pointer with 2:59 left before Graves split a pair of foul shots to even the score at 66. Graves put the Bulldogs on top, 69-66, with a triple. Tracy Robinson's three-point attempt with five seconds left bounced off the rim and after Butler corralled the rebound, Pete Campbell sank the front end of a two-shot foul to seal the decision.

Loyola dominated the boards, outrebounding Butler, 48-35, with 25 of those boards coming on the offensive glass. Schilb registered his third career double-double, with 27 points and 11 boards, to go with six assists. Kou tallied 14 points, while Leon Young recorded 12 points and eight caroms.

Butler was led by 26 points from Graves.

Loyola returns to action when it hosts Wright State on Saturday, Jan. 27 at 4 p.m.