Feb. 10, 2009
Box Score
CHICAGO - Loyola University Chicago (12-14, 4-10 Horizon) dropped its fifth consecutive game this evening, as it fell to visiting Wright State (15-10, 9-5 Horizon), 64-52, at the Gentile Center. The Ramblers connected on only 32 percent of their attempts from the field.
"We need to put together a complete game at both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor, and right now we are not doing that," Loyola senior J.R. Blount said.
Wright State jumped out to an early 19-10 lead before Loyola responded with a 10-1 run to even the score at 20-20. Back-to-back buckets by Todd Brown late in the half gave the Raiders a 29-25 advantage, but Blount scored a pair of baskets in the final 1:03 to send the teams into the locker room deadlocked at 29-29.
Much like the first half, Wright State opened the second period with a fast start as Cory Cooperwood scored six of his team's points in a 9-0 run that gave WSU a 38-29 lead it would never relinquish. Loyola fought back and closed to within five (43-38) when Jordan Hicks and Blount scored consecutive baskets in a 13-second span. However, the Raiders turned up the heat on the defensive end and held the Ramblers to just a three-pointer from Marcus Thomas over the next 8:24 to seize control of the contest.
Blount tallied team highs of 15 points and eight rebounds to lead Loyola while Hicks added a season-high 14 points, in only 13 minutes, off the bench. Cory Cooperwood scored 19 points and Todd Brown added 18 points for Wright State.
Loyola hits the road for the final time in the regular season this weekend when it visits Valparaiso (Feb. 13) and Butler (Feb. 15).
