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Sophomore J.R. Blount scored 18 points in Loyola's 52-51 loss to UIC

Men's Basketball

Late Rally Lifts UIC Past Loyola, 52-51

Feb. 24, 2007

Box Score | Quotes

CHICAGO - Loyola University Chicago (20-10, 10-6 Horizon) saw its seven-game winning streak come to an end as Illinois-Chicago (13-17, 7-9 Horizon) rallied from a seven-point deficit with 2:35 left in the game to post a 52-51 victory tonight at the Gentile Center in the regular-season finale for both teams. The Ramblers will face the winner of the UIC - UW-Milwaukee game on Friday, March 2 at 5 p.m. Central at Wright State University.

The first half was a defensive struggle as both teams shot under 30 percent from the field, but Loyola took a 23-20 lead into the break on the strength of a combined 17 points from seniors Blake Schilb and Majak Kou. The Ramblers never trailed in the period and led by as many as seven (16-9) after a Schilb hoop but had to settle for a three-point lead at intermission after an Othyus Jeffers basket in the final 30 seconds.

After a Robert Bush hoop to open the second half, Loyola's J.R. Blount accounted for all eight points, including two three-pointers, in an 8-0 spurt that pushed the Ramblers lead to nine, 31-22, less than three minutes into the period. The Flames began to chip away, pulling even at 34 on a Jovan Ignjatovic basket. A three-pointer from T.J. Gray moments later gave UIC its first lead of the game, 37-35, but the Ramblers quickly regrouped and regained the lead courtesy of four Blount free throws. Jeffers converted a missed free throw into a lay-up to give UIC a 44-43 lead but an 8-0 LU run, highlighted by six points from Schilb, helped the Ramblers open up a 51-44 advantage with 2:35 on the clock. However, those would prove to be Loyola's last points of the game as three-pointers from Gray and Mayo cut the deficit to one and, after another Rambler miss, Mayo hit a 10-foot fadeaway jumper from the baseline with just under 10 seconds remaining to complete the comeback.

Blount, who scored 14 points in the second half, and Schilb led the Ramblers with 18 points apiece. Kou joined the duo in double figures with 10 points. Mayo led the Flames with 14 points.

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