Dec. 13, 2008

Box Score | Quotes

CHICAGO - Loyola University Chicago (5-5) used a solid team defensive effort and got prime production from its senior class and post players en route to a 52-47 victory over UMKC (4-7) this afternoon at the Gentile Center. The victory is the Ramblers' third in a row at home.

In a sluggish first half, neither team shot over 33 percent from the field, and after Loyola took an early 11-4 lead, UMKC rattled off eight consecutive points over the next six minutes to take a 12-11 advantage. From there, no one led by more than three points the rest of the period.

With the score tied at 40 with 5:17 remaining, Loyola senior Darrin Williams scored five consecutive points as part of a decisive 8-0 run. The visiting Kangaroos chipped away at the eight-point deficit and trailed 50-47 after Dane Brumagin's three-pointer with 38 seconds left to play. The Ramblers misfired on four of six attempts from the free-throw line in the closing 31 seconds, but were able to hang on for the victory, their third in the last four games overall.

Williams tallied his first career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, to go with two blocks. Fellow senior J.R. Blount chipped in 19 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals, while forward Leon Young, in his first action of the season after missing the first nine games with a broken hand, recorded 11 points and seven boards off the bench to spark the Ramblers.

Loyola is off until it travels to local rival Northern Illinois on Dec. 20.