March 2, 2007

Box Score

Fairborn, Ohio - Senior Blake Schilb pushed Loyola into the Horizon League Tournament semifinals with 31 points, including a back-breaking off-balance jumper with 10 seconds left, as the Ramblers edged the UIC men's basketball team 66-62 on Friday evening at the Nutter Center.

The Flames (14-18) had trimmed a 12-point deficit in the second half down to two with 43 seconds remaining on a basket by Othyus Jeffers. Loyola (21-10) worked the shot clock down on its next possession and Schilb converted a jumper from the baseline, getting fouled by Jeffers in the process, to end UIC's comeback bid.

Jeffers finished with a team-high 14 points to lead the Flames while sophomore Josh Mayo (13 points), senior Jovan Stefanov (12 points) and junior T.J. Gray (11 points) also scored in double figures.

Schilb was the only Loyola player to score in double figures with his game-high 31 points. Freshman Andy Polka led a dominating rebounding effort by the Ramblers with 12 boards. Loyola out-rebounded UIC, 40-26.

The Flames came out hot early on Friday, leading by as many as seven points in the first half. UIC fell into foul trouble late in the period, though, forcing starters Jeffers, Robert Bush and Scott VanderMeer to the bench.

Loyola capitalized, going on an 18-6 run to close out the half to take a 39-34 lead into the locker room.

The Flames would go cold to start the second half, going 1-for-13 from the field in the first 10 minutes which allowed the Ramblers to build their lead.