Nov. 20, 2011

Box Score

GREENVILLE, S.C. - Joe Crisman (12 points) was one of three players to score in double figures for Loyola University Chicago (0-4) but it wasn't enough as host Furman (3-1) earned a 63-51 victory at Timmons Arena this afternoon. Bobby Austin and Bryant Irwin hit back-to-back three-pointers as part of a game-changing 18-7 Paladins run that turned a 31-30 Loyola lead into a 48-38 Furman advantage.

Crisman's jumper with 16:10 left to play gave Loyola a 31-30 lead, its first of the game, but that advantage would be short-lived however, as Austin and Irwin buried consecutive three-pointers to turn the tide. After Furman built a 53-43 lead with 5:08 left, Loyola was able to draw within six, at 53-47, on a basket by Christian Thomas, but that was as close as the Ramblers would get the rest of the way.

Furman, which came into the game shooting just 34 percent from the field, was hot early, scoring the first eight points of the game and building a 17-8 advantage with 10:35 left in the opening period. Loyola settled down on both ends of the floor and held the host Paladins scoreless for nearly six minutes, scoring nine unanswered points to even the score at 17.

Furman closed out the half on an 11-6 run however, to take a 28-23 lead into the locker room at the half.

Denzel Brito tallied eight points and Thomas added seven in the first half for the Ramblers.

Thomas finished the game with a season-high 11 points and four rebounds off the bench for Loyola, which also got 10 points and three assists from Brito.

Brandon Sebirumbi and Richard Brown registered 14 points apiece for Furman.

Loyola opens up the renovated Gentile Arena on Saturday, November 26 when it hosts Fordham at 3 p.m.