Feb. 5, 2009

Box Score |  Quotes

CHICAGO - Loyola University Chicago (12-12, 4-8 Horizon) converted only 25 percent of its shots from the field and suffered a 60-49 loss to visiting Youngstown State (7-15, 4-8) at the Gentile Center tonight. The Penguins shot 54 percent from the field and outscored the Ramblers, 36-19 in the second half as Loyola lost for the first time this season when leading at the intermission.

After Youngstown State scored the first basket of the game on a jumper by Jack Liles, Loyola ran off an 11-2 run to seize an 11-4 lead just six minutes into the contest. A late Penguins rally, capped by a three-pointer from Vance Cooksey, tied the score at 24, but the Ramblers closed the period with six straight points, including a buzzer-beating tip-in by Leon Young, to give the hosts a 30-24 lead at the half.

The Ramblers went cold in the second period and opened the half by misfiring on their first 10 tries from the field. A J.R. Blount lay-up with 10:52 remaining in the contest evened the score at 36, but from there, Youngstown State rattled off a 17-2 run over the next 5:48 to take a 53-38 lead it would never relinquish.

Loyola's defense forced 21 Penguins turnovers for the game, and the hosts matched a season high with 22 offensive rebounds. Blount scored a team-high 12 points and grabbed five rebounds to lead Loyola, which also got 10 points and nine rebounds from Young. Justin Cerasoli added 10 points, all of which came in the first half, three rebounds and four steals.

Kelvin Bright came off the bench to pour in 16 points to pace Youngstown State.

Loyola looks to bounce back when it hosts preseason Horizon League favorite Cleveland State on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 3 p.m.