Feb. 11, 2012

Box Score

Post-Game Press Conference Video

Photo Gallery

CHICAGO - Five players scored in double digits and senior Walt Gibler became the 18th player in school history to accumulate both 1,000 points and 500 rebounds in his career, as Loyola University Chicago (6-18, 1-13 Horizon) snapped an 11-game losing skid with a 78-69 victory over UIC (7-17, 3-11) this afternoon at Gentile Arena. The Ramblers scored a season-high 78 points and buried a season-best 8 three-point field goals in 14 attempts (57 percent).

"First of all, I'd like to thank our fans and students who have stuck with this team all year," Loyola Head Coach Porter Moser said. "I'm really happy for the guys. They showed what high-character people they are today. It's not easy to struggle like we have, but our guys had a great week of practice and we got contributions from everyone today."

Loyola took control of the game from the opening tip and a basket by Gibler and ensuing three-pointer by London Dokubo gave the hosts a lead they would maintain from start to finish. After Daniel Barnes rang up UIC's first field goal of the game at the 17:01 mark of the half, Denzel Brito drained a three-pointer to spark a 15-4 Loyola run that stretched the lead to 20-6 and the Ramblers would not let UIC get closer than nine points the remainder of the period.

UIC opened the second half by scoring seven of the first nine points to get within eight (41-33), but Chim Kadima reeled off five straight points, including a highlight-reel dunk, to push the lead back to double digits.

The Ramblers led by as many as 17 points in the second half, but UIC mounted late rally that was aided by Loyola's inability to covert free throws down the stretch, to close within 74-67 with 46 seconds remaining. Kadima came up with one of the biggest plays of the game, grabbing an offensive rebound off of Ben Averkamp's missed free throw with 37 seconds showing on the clock and Loyola hit four of its final six tries from the charity stripe to seal the outcome.

This marks the first time since December 22, 2010, in a victory at Texas-Pan American, that Loyola has had five players score in double figures. Gibler corralled his milestone rebound, his ninth of the game, with 2:30 left in regulation as he became the first Rambler since Blake Schilb (2003-07) to total 1,000 points and 500 boards for his career.

Averkamp, who returned to action for the first time since suffering a concussion at Wright State on January 27, came off the bench to record 17 points and seven rebounds to lead Loyola, which shot 52 percent (27 for 52) from the field. Jordan Hicks continued his impressive play, notching 15 points, eight boards, two assists and a pair of steals, while making a handful of hustle plays that didn't show up on the boxscore.

Brito and Gibler added 11 points each, and Brito also doled out six assists off the bench, while Kadima matched a career high with 10 points.

Gary Talton led UIC with 18 points.

Loyola opens up a three-game road swing when it visits two-time NCAA Runner-Up Butler on Tuesday (Feb. 14).