Boxscore (PDF)

CHICAGO (February 24, 2018)
 
In Short
Senior Ben Richardson hit two clutch three-pointers to help Loyola University Chicago (25-5, 15-3 MVC) fend off visiting Illinois State (16-14, 10-8 MVC), 68-61, this afternoon in front of a capacity crowd of 4,963 at Gentile Arena. The victory extends Loyola's winning streak to seven games and gives the Ramblers their most wins since 1984-85, when that squad went 27-6 and reached the NCAA Sweet 16. The announced crowd is also the largest since the building was renovated and reconfigured for the 2011-12 season.
 
Porter Moser's Thoughts
"What a great atmosphere and a great college basketball game that was. I'm really proud of our guys."
 
How It Happened
Following an emotional pregame ceremony, in which Loyola's senior class was saluted, the Ramblers found themselves in a dogfight with their in-state rival. A Donte Ingram bucket snapped a 23-all stalemate and sparked an 8-2 run that was capped by a layup from Aundre Jackson, as Loyola broke free for a 31-25 lead.
 
Illinois State cut the deficit in half on a Keyshawn Evans three-pointer with just under a minute remaining in the opening period, but Bruno Skokna's layup just before the first-half horn sent Loyola into the locker room on top, 33-28.
 
The Redbirds opened the second half by scoring seven of the first nine points of the period to draw even at 35. Back-to-back three-pointers from Evans broke a tie and provided Illinois State with its largest lead of the day, at 47-41. But, Loyola turned it up on the defensive end of the floor once it fell behind and assembled a 12-5 spurt that featured threes from Ingram and Lucas Williamson, before a Cameron Krutwig layup gave the Ramblers the lead for good, at 53-52, with 4:25 left to play. A Marques Townes basket followed, pushing Loyola's advantage to 55-52.
 
Illinois State was able to get within a point on a pair of occasions, but each time, Richardson slowed the Redbirds' momentum with big threes, with his second one putting Loyola on top, 61-57. Phil Fayne's basket brought ISU within two points, but Clayton Custer, who had misfired on his first nine field goal attempts in the game, stepped up and delivered a huge three-pointer that bumped the advantage to 64-59.
 
The 68-61 victory set off a postgame celebration that hasn't been seen before in Gentile Arena as the Ramblers cut down the nets and hoisted the Missouri Valley Conference regular-season trophy.
 
It was a record-breaking regular season for Loyola, which established a new school standard with 15 conference wins, claimed its first outright conference title since 1984-85, and won its most overall games since that magical 1984-85 campaign.
 
A Look At The Numbers

• Krutwig came off the bench to record 16 points, five rebounds and four assists, as the Ramblers found a way to win when their shots weren't falling at their usual frequent rate.
• Richardson scored 12 points in his final regular-season home game at Gentile Arena, while Ingram also went out in style, with 11 points, eight boards and four steals and Jackson pitched in nine points and seven rebounds.
• William Tinsley scored 21 points and Evans added 20 to lead Illinois State.

 
Up Next
Loyola will have the top seed at next week's MVC Championship and will play on Friday, March 2, at noon versus the winner of the No. 8 seed versus the No. 9 seed game.