Jan. 19, 2012

Box Score
Post-Game Press Conference Video

CHICAGO - Visiting Valparaiso (13-7, 6-2 Horizon) shot 57 percent (29 for 51) to earn a 69-48 victory over Loyola University Chicago (5-13, 0-8 Horizon) tonight at Gentile Arena. The Ramblers, despite the loss, got a season-high 13 points from senior Jordan Hicks.

Valparaiso did a yeoman's job on Loyola leading scorers Ben Averkamp (14.9 ppg) and Walt Gibler (14.6), holding them to a combined 4 for 18 shooting and 10 total points for the night.

Loyola trailed 10-8 just minutes into the contest before a three-pointer by Ryan Broekhoff started a game-changing 21-9 Crusader run that stretched the Valpo lead to 31-17 and from there, the Ramblers never got closer than 11 points the rest of the contest.

In the second half, Kevin Van Wijk's lay-up with 11:52 remaining gave Valpo a 53-29 lead before Loyola reeled off six straight points courtesy of a pair of foul shots by Gibler, a basket by Averkamp, and a lay-up by Hicks, to close within 53-35.

However, Valpo tallied eight unanswered points to stretch the lead to its largest of the night, at 63-37 with 6:47 remaining.

Hicks's 13 points were his most since a season-high 21-point performance at Western Michigan on November 20, 2010. The senior knocked down 6 of 11 shots from the field and also grabbed a rebound. Christian Thomas hit all five of hits shots from the field to tie a season high with 11 points off the bench for the Ramblers.

Loyola is back in action Saturday when its hosts two-time NCAA Runner-Up Butler at 1 p.m.