Nov. 11, 2011

Box Score

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Walt Gibler scored a game-best 19 points and grabbed six rebounds as Loyola University Chicago (0-1) gave host Illinois (1-0) all it could handle for 30 minutes before running out of gas in a 67-49 loss in the season opener for both teams at Assembly Hall tonight. The game was the first as Loyola head coach for Porter Moser.

"Give Illinois credit, their pressure wore us out and our guys got gassed," Moser said. "I was proud of our effort though and we really battled with just seven guys all night. We were executing and defending well, especially at the start of the second half, but we just got tired and committed turnovers that led to easy baskets late in the game."

Illinois scored the first four points of the game but a conventional three-point play by Chim Kadima tied the contest at 12 seven and a half minutes in. The Illini then recorded the next nine points and closed out the half on a 16-6 run to take a 28-18 lead at the break.

Ben Averkamp scored seven of his nine points in the game's opening 20 minutes and Loyola limited Illinois to just 4 of 14 shooting from beyond the arc in the first period.

Loyola opened the second half on fire and with a renewed vigor and a three-pointer by Joe Crisman followed by a jumper by Denzel Brito sliced the Ramblers' deficit down to five, at 28-23. Illinois immediately struck back however, going on a brief 8-0 spurt to extend the lead to 36-23.

From there, Gibler almost single-handedly got Loyola back into the game, scoring six of the team's nine unanswered points (the other three coming on a three-pointer by Crisman) to bring the upset-minded Ramblers within four, at 36-32 with 13:18 remaining. After a basket by the Illini's Mike Shaw, Gibler sank a pair of free throws to keep the deficit at four (38-34).

Illinois ratcheted up the pressure however and went on an 18-6 run over the next six minutes to seize control of the game as it opened up a 62-40 advantage and never looked back.

Gibler scored 15 of his game-high 19 points in the second half and also corralled all six of his boards in the closing 20 minutes. Illinois was able to bottle up Averkamp in the second half, holding him to just two points in the period as he finished with nine points and five rebounds. Crisman registered eight points and Brito tallied a career-best seven points and six assists in his first career start for the Ramblers.

Meyers Leonard led Illinois with 15 points and six blocks off the bench, while Brandon Paul chipped in 14 points for the Illini, who forced 22 Loyola turnovers.

Loyola continues its season-opening four-game road trip when it visits Kansas State on Monday (Nov. 14).