Jan. 10, 2009

Box Score

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Aric Van Weelden and Marcus Thomas combined for seven three-point field goals to help Loyola University Chicago (10-7, 2-3 Horizon) to a 68-57 victory over Youngstown State (5-10, 2-4 Horizon) tonight at the Beeghly Center. The Ramblers tied a season high by connecting on 10 treys on the night and picked up their first regular-season Horizon League road win since last January. A smothering Loyola defense held Youngstown State, which entered the game ranked first in the League with 70. 7 points per game, to nearly 14 points below its season average.

"Aric hit a huge three with the score tied at 48 and that got our guys some energy again," Loyola head coach Jim Whitesell said. "That was a big, big shot. We've struggled here in the past and wanted to get off to a fast start."

Loyola jumped out to an early 10-4 lead and after Youngstown battled back to tie the game at 14, went on a 14-6 run to open up a 28-20 advantage. Justin Cerasoli's three-pointer capped off that 14-6 run, which also featured treys from Jordan Hicks and Walt Gibler.

Van Weelden opened the second-half scoring with a triple to put the Ramblers on top, 31-22. After the Penguins sliced the Ramblers' lead to 42-36, Thomas buried a trey to stretch the advantage back to nine points.

Youngstown refused to go away quietly and used a 12-3 run to draw even at 48-48 with 6:23 left to play before Van Weelden nailed his fourth three of the night to give Loyola the lead for good.

Van Weelden finished with a team-best and career-high 12 points, hitting all four of his three-point attempts. Thomas came off the bench to hit 3 of 4 from long distance and finished with 11 points, while Cerasoli chipped in 11 points and Leon Young added 10.

Loyola finished the night 10 for 15 from three-point range, while Youngstown State, which was led by Kelvin Bright's 22 points, went 0 for 14 from beyond the arc.

The Ramblers return home to face nationally ranked Butler on Jan. 15 at the Gentile Center.