Jan. 31, 2009

Box Score

GREEN BAY, Wis. - UW-Green Bay (17-6, 9-2 Horizon) shot 54 percent for the game and forced 20 turnovers, to pick up an 87-68 victory over visiting Loyola University Chicago (12-11, 4-7 Horizon) tonight at the Resch Center. The Ramblers have dropped two consecutive contests for the first time since Nov. 24-25.

Loyola fell behind by eight points in the first three and a half minutes of the game but used an 18-5 run over the next five-plus minutes to seize a 23-18 lead. Justin Cerasoli and Ross Forman each hit a pair of three-pointers to key that five-minute surge for the Ramblers. Troy Cotton's three-pointer with just under three minutes left in the half put the Phoenix on top for good, though they held a slim 38-34 lead at the break.

After Green Bay scored the first six points of the half, Loyola got back within five points (46-41) on a bucket by Aric Van Weelden. A pair of free throws from Mike Schachtner ignited a decisive 9-0 run that put the Phoenix on top, 55-41.

Loyola dominated the boards to the tune of a 45-28 advantage, and held a 24-9 edge in second-chance points, but Green Bay registered 30 of its 87 points on the evening off of Loyola turnovers.

Cerasoli led the Ramblers with 13 points, five assists and four rebounds, while Forman came off the bench to throw in 11 points. J.R. Blount tallied nine points and nine boards, and Leon Young chipped in seven points and nine rebounds.

Five players scored in double digits for Green Bay led by Troy Cotton's 25 points. Cotton connected on 7 of 12 shots from three-point range.

Loyola returns to action Feb. 5 when it hosts Youngstown State.