Feb. 17, 2007

Box Score |  Quotes

CHICAGO - Another stingy defensive effort and some key contributions from senior Majak Kou and the bench helped Loyola University Chicago (19-9) win its sixth straight game in a 66-43 victory over Eastern Illinois (9-19) this afternoon at the Gentile Center. The Ramblers have now won 16 of their last 20 games during the month of February.

Loyola set the tone on the defensive end early, holding Eastern Illinois without a field goal for the first 5:44 of the game, in opening a 9-2 lead. After the Panthers closed to within 13-8, the Ramblers finished the half with a 20-5 run to take a commanding 33-13 lead at the break. Loyola's gritty defensive effort helped establish a Gentile Center record for fewest points in a half by an opponent, eclipsing the previous mark of 14 set by Oakland in 2000.

Kou scored 12 of his team-high 20 points in the opening period while Andy Polka tallied eight points and six boards.

Eastern Illinois never got closer than 17 points the rest of the way and Loyola's lead grew to as many as 25, at 64-39.

Tom Levin came off the bench to match a career high with 12 points in only 17 minutes, while Polka finished with 10 points, eight boards and three assists. Eastern Illinois, which was paced by 23 points from Romain Martin, shot only 29 percent from the field for the game and Loyola's bench outscored the EIU reserves, 27-9.

Loyola returns to action when it travels to Butler, Feb. 22, before wrapping up the regular season at home versus Illinois-Chicago, Feb. 24.