Bench Helps Boost Loyola Past Detroit, 71-65 :: Rambler reserves record 35 points in victory

Jan. 17, 2008

CHICAGO - Loyola University Chicago's (6-11, 2-5 Horizon) bench accounted for 35 points to help push the Ramblers past visiting Detroit (4-13, 0-7 Horizon), 71-65 tonight at the Gentile Center. With the win, Loyola snapped a four-game losing skid and won for the fourth time in its last five outings at the Gentile Center.

"I really thought Aric Van Weelden and Dave Telander gave us a spark off the bench," Loyola head coach Jim Whitesell said. "I'm proud of our guys for hanging in there. We needed this one tonight."

After getting off to a slow start, falling behind 20-11, Telander's three-point field goal ignited a half-closing 20-9 run for the Ramblers, who took a 31-29 lead into the intermission. Telander scored all eight of his points on the night in the opening 20 minutes, while J.R. Blount notched 10 of his team-high 23 points in the first half.

Leon Young took over in the second half as he and Blount combined for 30 of Loyola's 40 second-half scores. The Ramblers opened up a 46-36 lead as Young scored nine of his team's first 15 points of the second half. Detroit refused to fold however, and tied the game at 58 with just over four minutes remaining.

A pair of free throws by Young with 1:57 left broke a 63-63 tie and the Ramblers never looked back, scoring their final eight points of the game from the foul line.

Loyola converted 20 of 22 shots from the charity stripe on the evening and matched a season high with seven three-point field goals. Blount equaled his season high by scoring 23 points for the second consecutive outing, while Young's 19 points marked the most by a Rambler off the bench this year. Telander finished with eight points, three assists, a pair of rebounds and a steal. Van Weelden played 27 minutes and shone on the defensive end, registering a couple of steals.

Jon Goode scored 30 points to lead Detroit, which shot 55 percent from the field, but dropped its 11th consecutive contest.

Loyola is back in action Saturday night when it hosts Wright State at 7 p.m.