Feb. 22, 2007

INDIANAPOLIS - Blake Schilb scored 28 points and Tracy Robinson hit five free throws in the final 36 seconds to lead visiting Loyola University Chicago (20-9, 10-5 Horizon) to a 75-71 victory over No. 15 Butler at Hinkle Fieldhouse tonight. The victory was a landmark for Loyola for several reasons - it snaps a 17-game losing streak to the Bulldogs at historic Hinkle Fieldhouse, it gives the Ramblers 20 wins for the first time since 1984-85, and it is their first win over a ranked opponent since 1986.

"I'm just real proud of our guys," Loyola head coach Jim Whitesell said. "This was a great team win over a great Butler team."

Butler led for most of the first ten minutes of the game before Schilb's three-pointer put Loyola on top, 22-21, and ignited a 9-2 run. Schilb hit a three-pointer with seven seconds left to give the Ramblers a 38-33 lead and Pete Campbell had a three-pointer waved off after the horn following a review by the officials as LU took a five-point lead into the break.

Loyola built on that edge by scoring the first seven points of the second period to take a 45-33 lead, its largest of the night, with 18:07 left in regulation. Butler whittled the Ramblers' lead down to four points, before LU scored the next six to build the advantage back to double digits at 52-42. Butler surged ahead, 58-57 on a pair of Brandon Crone foul shots with just over seven minutes to play and the teams essentially traded leads for the next six minutes.

Andy Polka's conventional three-point play with 1:17 left put Loyola ahead for good, 70-69 and Robinson buried five of six tries from the foul line in the final minute to seal the victory.

Schilb dished out five assists and added three rebounds, a pair of steals and a block. Majak Kou tallied 13 points and Polka chipped in nine points and five caroms. A.J. Graves posted 24 points to lead Butler.

Loyola closes out the regular season Saturday when it hosts city rival UIC at 7 p.m. The Ramblers' senior class will be honored in a pregame ceremony.