Feb. 15, 2009

Box Score

INDIANAPOLIS - Freshman Jordan Hicks posted season highs of 23 points and eight rebounds to spark Loyola University Chicago (13-15, 5-11 Horizon) to a 71-67 victory over No. 15 Butler (22-3, 13-2 Horizon) this afternoon at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The victory is the Ramblers' second over a ranked Bulldogs squad at the historic arena in the last three years. Loyola earned a 75-71 victory at then No. 15 Butler on Feb. 22, 2007.

"I'm really proud of our guys," Loyola head coach Jim Whitesell said. "We haven't had things go our way the last few weeks. Our guys have stuck with it and it is nice to have them get rewarded for it. We needed to play well and have Butler be a little off to get the win today. Sometimes the sun just shines on you."

Gordon Hayward scored the first basket to give Butler its only lead of the contest. From there, Loyola rattled off a 19-5 run, which featured three-point field goals from Hicks, Justin Cerasoli and Aric Van Weelden, to take a 19-7 lead. A pair of free throws from Indianapolis native Marcus Thomas gave the Ramblers their largest lead of the game, at 34-16, which also was the largest lead against the Bulldogs all season. Butler closed the period on a 7-3 run, but Loyola still took a 37-23 lead into the half.

Butler clawed its way back in the second half, closing to 53-47 with 9:05 remaining, but, with Loyola in much need of a basket, Van Weelden hit a clutch three-pointer to extend the lead back to nine points. After the Bulldogs drew within seven points less than a minute later, Hicks scored the Ramblers' next seven points as they took a 63-51 lead with 5:29 left to play.

The Bulldogs cut a 10-point deficit down to two points (69-67) thanks to a 12-4 run that was punctuated by a pair of free throws from Matt Howard. Loyola held on down the stretch, making 6 of 7 shots from the foul line and Cerasoli's two free throws with four seconds left sealed the victory.

Hicks' 23 points are the most by a Loyola true freshman since Leon Young totaled 23 points at Youngstown State on Feb. 25, 2006. Cerasoli added 17 points, four rebounds, five assists and three steals, and Thomas came off the bench for 10 points to lead the Ramblers. Matt Howard scored a game-high 30 points to lead Butler.

Loyola opens a three-game homestand when it hosts Detroit on Wednesday, Feb. 18.