Loyola Rolls Over Youngstown State, 71-50

1/26/2005

Blake Schilb scored 11 points and dished out seven assists to lead Loyola to a 71-50 victory Youngstown State

CHICAGO (January 26, 2005) – Four players scored in double figures to help Loyola University Chicago (6-13, 4-5 Horizon) to a 71-50 victory over Youngstown State (3-16, 1-8 Horizon) tonight at the Gentile Center, as the Ramblers recorded back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

“Our guys were ready and had good energy,” Loyola head coach Jim Whitesell said. “We got off to a good start and tonight was important for us to take another step forward. The victory at Green Bay last week really seemed to give our team a shot in the arm.”

Loyola took control of this contest right from the opening tip as Anthony Smith’s lay-up sparked a 12-0 run by the Ramblers to start the game. Loyola built that lead to 16-2 before the Penguins closed the gap to 17-14 with 9:15 left in the first half. But, a three-point play by Blake Schilb ignited a 17-5 Loyola run to close out the period as the Ramblers led 34-19 at the break.

The Ramblers shot 52 percent from the field in the first stanza, while holding Youngstown State to 30 percent shooting and forcing 12 Penguin turnovers.

Loyola led by as many as 30 points in the second half as it coasted to the victory, its fifth at the Gentile Center this season. A stifling Rambler defense coaxed the Penguins into 25 turnovers for the game.

DaJuan Gouard and Anthony Smith tallied 14 points apiece to lead Loyola. In addition to leading the Ramblers to a 3-1 record, Gouard has now scored in double figures in each of the four games since his return from a knee injury. Schilb added 11 points and seven assists as he scored in double figures for the 13th straight outing and Majak Kou chipped in 10 points.

Quin Humphrey scored a game-high 20 points for Youngstown State.

Loyola looks for its third straight victory when it heads to Detroit on Jan. 29. Tip-off is set for 2:05 p.m. Eastern.