Dec. 9, 2006

Box Score |  Quotes

CHICAGO - Loyola University Chicago (7-3) scored 18 unanswered points in the first half to take control of the game and cruise to a 76-42 victory over Loyola New Orleans (2-5) this afternoon at the Gentile Center. The victory was the Ramblers' largest margin over an opponent since a 100-58 decision over Cleveland State on Feb. 17, 1996, and the 42 points allowed was the fewest since Dec. 4, 1964.

"Overall, I was happy with the performance," Loyola head coach Jim Whitesell said. "We wanted to play a lot of guys and we didn't play anyone too many minutes so I think it was a really positive way to go into final exams."

The Ramblers clung to an 18-14 lead midway through the first half when Cortney Horton's jumper ignited an 18-0 run that saw LU open up a commanding 36-14 advantage with 5:27 left in the period. Six players scored for the Ramblers during that decisive stretch and seven players scored at least four points in the opening period for Loyola, which shot 56 percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes. The Rambler defense forced 12 turnovers and held the Wolfpack to 27 percent shooting in building a 44-19 halftime lead.

J.R. Blount scored a team-high 13 points, hitting 6 of 7 shots, to lead the Ramblers, while Andy Polka added nine points and seven rebounds. No Rambler played more than 22 minutes in the contest and six players tallied at least six points.

The game was scheduled to provide an opportunity for a Loyola New Orleans community that was ravaged by Hurricane Katrina last year. The Ramblers wore replica jerseys from the 1950s and those uniforms will be auctioned off with proceeds going to the Loyola University New Orleans Katrina Relief Fund.

Loyola University Chicago is back in action Dec. 16, when it hosts Northern Iowa at 7 p.m.