TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (January 15, 2022)
 
In Short
Lucas Williamson scored a team-high 17 points and for the third straight contests, Loyola University Chicago (13-2, 4-0 MVC) battled back from a double-digit deficit, this time earning a 64-56 victory at Indiana State (8-8, 1-3 MVC) tonight at Hulman Center. The Ramblers have now won nine straight contests and are off to their best start in league play since 2001-02 when they went 6-0 to open Horizon League action.
 
How It Happened
Loyola got off to a sluggish start for the third straight outing before rallying late to climb right back into the game. 
 
The Ramblers committed eight turnovers and hit just 4 of their first 14 attempts from the field, while Indiana State connected on 12 of its first 19 field goal tries to jump out to a sizable 26-11 advantage. 
 
But, that's when Loyola's defense turned things up and helped key a quick comeback. Trailing 29-15, Loyola got five points from Marquise Kennedy and a three from Keith Clemons in a string of eight unanswered tallies that chopped the Sycamores lead to 29-22. 
 
A Kailex Stephens basket briefly stemmed the tide for the Sycamores, but back-to-back triples from Lucas Williamson and a Kennedy layup cut the deficit to a single point (31-30), before Stephens connected for a pair of free throws to give Indiana State a 33-30 lead at the half.
 
Five straight points from Williamson, which included his fourth triple of the evening, allowed Loyola to wipe away a one-point deficit and move ahead, 50-45, with 7:51 remaining in regulation.  
 
Braden Norris came through in the clutch down the stretch, scoring seven straight Loyola points, including a dagger three-pointer with 44 seconds remaining, to seal the outcome and give the Ramblers a 64-56 advantage.
 
A Look at the Numbers

• Williamson totaled 17 points and a pair of steals, while Marquise Kennedy had another big performance, totaling 15 points, six boards and three steals.
• Norris pitched in 12 points for the Ramblers, who held Indiana State to 26.7 percent (8-for-30) shooting in the second half.
• Cameron Henry had 12 points to lead Indiana State.

 
Up Next
The Ramblers return to Indiana Tuesday night when they visit Evansville at 7 p.m. CT.