Jan. 15, 2009

Box Score

CHICAGO - Butler (15-1, 6-0 Horizon) used a 22-0 run early in the first half to break open the contest and never looked back en route to a 78-55 victory over Loyola University Chicago (10-8, 2-4 Horizon) tonight at the Gentile Center. The No. 17 Bulldogs shot 50 percent from both the field and from beyond the arc to hand the Ramblers their worst home loss since Dec. 9, 2000.

Loyola held an early 4-2 lead, but Shelvin Mack hit three three-pointers as part of a decisive 22-0 run that saw the host Ramblers go scoreless for over seven minutes. Despite the offensive drought, Loyola did not fold up shop and chipped away at the deficit. A pair of free throws by J.R. Blount brought the Ramblers within 11 points, at 33-22, with 3:30 remaining in the opening period to cap an 18-9 run.

The Ramblers missed a golden chance to cut the Bulldogs' lead to single digits, but missed a layup and from there, Butler closed out the half on a 6-2 run to take a 39-24 lead at the break.

A layup by Gordon Hayward started a 12-0 half-opening run as Butler built a 51-24 lead and the Ramblers were unable to get closer than 20 points the rest of the way.

Ross Forman scored a season-high 13 points off the bench to lead Loyola, which also received 12 points from Marcus Thomas. Leon Young chipped in eight points and six rebounds. Butler was led by 20 points from Shelvin Mack.

Loyola is back in action Saturday when it hosts Valparaiso.