Feb. 6, 2010

Box Score | Quotes

CHICAGO - Visiting Cleveland State (12-12, 8-4 Horizon) rallied from a nine-point deficit in the final nine minutes and held on for a 59-56 victory over Loyola University Chicago (13-10, 4-9 Horizon) this afternoon at the Gentile Center. Loyola senior forward Andy Polka grabbed seven rebounds to increase his career total to 702 as he became only the 14th player in school history to top the 700-board plateau.

The Ramblers got off to a blazing start, scoring the first seven points of the contest, while holding the Vikings scoreless until the 15:49 mark when D'Aundray Brown buried a three-pointer. Loyola was able to pound the ball inside effectively in the first period and connected on 11-of-14 shots from the foul line, while Cleveland State failed to attempt a charity toss.

Loyola's seven-point edge wouldn't hold up however and CSU led by as many as six points (30-24) before Courtney Stanley scored the final five points of the half to bring the Ramblers within a point (30-29) at the break.

After falling behind 38-31 just two and a half minutes into the second period, Loyola surged ahead thanks to an 18-2 run that gave it a 49-40 advantage with 9:08 left to play. Terrance Hill connected on a trio of three-pointers in that stretch, while Ben Averkamp recorded five points to help the Ramblers build a nine-point lead.

However, a Jeremy Montgomery lay-up set off a 15-2 Cleveland State run that gave it a 55-51 lead with just under two minutes remaining.

Loyola closed to within a point (55-54) and following a block by Averkamp with one minute remaining and with a chance to take the lead committed a costly turnover. Tim Kamczyc buried a pair of free throws to put CSU back on top by three, but Marcus Thomas sank a pair of free throws to bring the Ramblers within a point again (57-56) with 12 ticks showing on the clock.

After Brown connected on both tries from the charity stripe, Geoff McCammon's desperation shot from halfcourt at the buzzer came up empty as the Ramblers dropped their fourth game by five points or less.

Hill and Averkamp tallied 12 points apiece to lead Loyola, while Walt Gibler added 11 points and eight boards and Stanley chipped in 10 points and five assists.

Jared Cunningham scored 11 of his game-high 15 points in the first half to lead Cleveland State, which won for the fifth straight outing.

Loyola looks to return to its winning ways when it travels to No. 23 Butler Monday night (Feb. 8). The Ramblers have won two of their last three meetings with the Bulldogs at Hinkle Fieldhouse.