INDIANAPOLIS (March 21, 2021)
 
In Short
Cameron Krutwig had 19 points, 12 rebounds and five assists and a swarming defensive effort led eighth-seeded Loyola University Chicago (26-4) to a 71-58 victory over top-seeded Illinois (24-7) in a NCAA Tournament Second Round game this afternoon at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The win is the Ramblers' eighth in a row and sends them to the Sweet 16 for the second time in the last four seasons.
 
Head Coach Porter Moser's Thoughts
"These guys believed. It's amazing what can happen when you get a group of guys together who believe. They've invested in what we do and believe in it."
 
How It Happened
Six points from Krutwig and a Braden Norris three-pointer comprised a game-opening 9-2 run for Loyola, which hit 4 of its first 7 shots in building that early advantage, setting the stage for an impressive first-half showing for the Ramblers.
 
Loyola's defense frustrated the Fighting Illini into 32 percent (7-for-22) shooting in the first 16-plus minutes and after the top seed got within 21-16, a Tate Hall triple was followed by baskets from Krutwig and Marquise Kennedy in a 7-0 spurt that extended the lead to 28-16. Minutes later, a three from Keith Clemons ran the Ramblers' advantage to 33-19, its largest of the half.
 
Illinois cut into the deficit just before the close of the period thanks to five straight points from Kofi Cockburn, as Loyola took a 33-24 lead into the break. Loyola limited Illinois' two All-Americans, Ayo Dosunmu and Cockburn to 11 combined points on 5 of 12 shooting and prior to Cokburn's late surge, they had just six combined points on 3 of 10 shooting in the first 19 minutes.
 
A three by Dosunmu brought Illinois within six, at 42-36, in the second half, but Loyola quickly built its lead back to double digits, scoring seven unanswered points to expand the advantage to 49-36. 
 
Illinois found itself within seven points (65-58) with 1:38 remaining, but the Ramblers knocked down 6 of 8 shots from the foul line in the final 91 seconds to seal the victory.
 
A Look At The Numbers

• Krutwig collected his 22^ndcareer double-double, finishing with 19 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and four steals, while his classmate, Williamson, provided 14 points and was key part of a group that held Ayo Dosunmu to nine points and forced him into six turnovers.
• Kennedy provided a huge spark off the bench as the Chicago native went for 14 points, three boards and a pair of blocks.
• Illinois entered the game averaging 81.3 points per game but was held to 23 points below its season average by Loyola's stingy defense, which leads the nation in points allowed.
• Loyola, which has won 19 of its last 20 games, shot 51 percent (26-for-51) from the field.
• The Ramblers improved to 15-5 (.800) all-time in NCAA Tournament action.

 
Up Next
Loyola moves on to the Sweet 16 where it will face the winner of the Oklahoma State – Oregon State game next weekend in Indianapolis.