Jan. 24, 2009

Box Score

DETROIT - Three players scored in double figures and two others scored nine points apiece as Loyola University Chicago (12-9, 4-5 Horizon) used a late surge to overcome a seven-point deficit and earn a 72-66 victory over Detroit (4-14, 0-9 Horizon) this afternoon at Calihan Hall. The win is only the Ramblers' second at Calihan Hall since 1993, but is their second in the last three trips there.

Loyola got off to a fast start, opening up an 11-2 lead, due in large part to three-point field goals from Walt Gibler and Justin Cerasoli. Detroit answered Loyola's initial surge with a 27-11 run of its own to seize a 29-22 edge, its largest of the half, and took a 37-33 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Darrin Williams opened the second-half scoring with a pair of free throws to bring the Ramblers within a basket, at 37-35, but a basket by Thomas Kennedy and a three from Woody Payne extended the Titans' advantage to 42-35. Loyola stormed back to take a 51-46 lead with 12:20 left to play, with J.R. Blount punctuating the 16-4 run with a lay-up.

After Detroit tied the game for the seventh time in the contest, Blount broke a 58-58 stalemate with a jumper with 5:05 remaining and Gibler capped off the game-changing 7-0 run with a conventional three-point play as Loyola never looked back.

Blount scored a team-high 20 points and added eight rebounds and three assists as Loyola won for the first time when trailing at halftime. Gibler chipped in 13 points, eight boards and a pair of blocks and Williams, playing in front of his hometown fans, tallied 13 points. Cerasoli contributed nine points, three assists and a pair of steals and Marcus Thomas came off the bench to produce nine points.

Woody Payne scored 20 points to lead Detroit.

Loyola continues a four-game road trip when it visits Milwaukee on Jan. 28.