Jan. 5, 2008

Box Score

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - An incredible second-half comeback wasn't enough as Loyola University Chicago (5-9, 1-3 Horizon) fell to Youngstown State (6-7, 2-1 Horizon) this afternoon in a Horizon League contest at the Beeghly Center. The Ramblers erased an 18-point halftime deficit but were unable to come away with the victory as they dropped their second straight game.

Youngstown State, which shot 60 percent (15 for 25) from the field in the first half, came out of the blocks on fire. A jumper by J.R. Blount made the score 9-6 just two-and-a-half minutes into the game, but the Penguins then tallied the next 10 points, five coming from Byron Davis, to open up a 19-6 lead that would grow to as many as 18 points. John Barber's three-pointer with under a minute in the half pushed Youngstown's lead to 42-24, an advantage they took into the locker room at the intermission.

Loyola turned up the intensity at both ends of the floor from the outset of the second 20-minute session, scoring the first seven points to climb back into the game. Justin Cerasoli's jumper from the right elbow with 10:37 remaining capped a remarkable 23-5 half-opening run by the Ramblers, to even the score at 47-47.

From there however, the host Penguins scored the next three points, all from the foul line, to take a 50-47 lead they would never surrender. Youngstown State, which shot only 28 percent (5 for 18), benefited from a 23-4 edge in free throw attempts in the second half and played 15 minutes without committing a personal foul.

Tracy Robinson tallied a career-high 19 points to pace Loyola. Blount poured in 16 points, while Cerasoli tossed in 14 and grabbed seven rebounds. Andy Polka narrowly missed a double-double with eight points and 10 boards.

Davis led the Penguins' attack with 19 points, while Barber added 18.

Loyola closes out a tough stretch of three games in five days when it hosts No. 16 Butler on Monday night.