Boxscore (PDF)

CHICAGO (November 14, 2018)
 
In Short
Cameron Krutwig recorded a double-double (18 points and 11 rebounds) and Marques Townes added 15 points and nine boards to lead Loyola University Chicago (2-1) to a 75-62 victory over Niagara (1-1) tonight at Gentile Arena in an on-campus game as part of the Fort Myers Tip-Off. The Ramblers turned in a solid defensive effort, limiting the Purple Eagles to 29.2 percent (19-for-65) shooting from the field, while knocking down 51.7 percent (30-for-58) of their own attempts. 
 
Coach Moser's Thoughts
"I was pleased with how our offense didn't dictate our defense in the first half. I liked our defensive effort and how we took care of the ball. I loved how we came out in the second half. We set an emphasis to get the ball in the paint, but we have to learn how to play with a lead but that will come." 
 
How It Happened
Loyola got off to a sluggish start at the offensive end, hitting just 1 of its first 10 shots from three-point range and at one point, trailed 22-14 before a Clayton Custer basket initiated a comeback. Custer's hoop sparked a string of nine unanswered points that was capped by another basket from the redshirt senior point guard, giving the Ramblers a 23-22 advantage. 
 
After Niagara moved back ahead by a point (27-26), Townes knocked down a three-pointer that put Loyola ahead to stay. Franklin Agunanne followed with his first career basket and Townes added another bucket that bumped the lead to 33-27. Niagara trimmed the Ramblers lead to four but a layup from Aher Uguak opened up an 18-2 run that spanned two halves and extended Loyola's advantage to 51-31. 
 
A thunderous dunk from Uguak with 9:18 remaining in the game provided Loyola with a 60-38 lead, its largest of the contest, but the Purple Eagles clawed their way back into the game, rattling off 12 straight points to close the gap to 60-50 with 5:52 left to play. 
 
But, Loyola cemented the outcome with a 7-0 spurt that featured five points from Townes, running the advantage to 67-50, as the Ramblers rolled to their 17^thwin in the last 18 contests at home versus nonconference foes.
 
A Look At The Numbers

• Loyola shot a sizzling 66.7 percent (16-for-24) from the field in the second period.
• In addition to his 18 points and 11 boards, Krutwig added three assists and four blocks and stayed perfect on the season from the field, hitting all seven of his field goal attempts tonight.
• Townes also contributed four assists, two blocks and a pair of steals. 
• Uguak racked up 15 points, four rebounds and three assists, while Custer totaled 14 points.
• James Towns scored a game-high 19 points to pace the Purple Eagles.

 
Up Next
The Ramblers continue a busy stretch of four games in eight days when they host Grambling State Friday (Nov. 16) at 7 p.m.