Jan. 13, 2007

Box Score

CHICAGO - T.J. Gray hit six three-pointers and scored 22 points to lead Illinois Chicago (9-9, 4-1 Horizon) to a 79-73 victory over Loyola University Chicago (11-7, 3-3 Horizon) this afternoon at the UIC Pavilion. The Ramblers have now dropped consecutive contests for the first time since last January.

"Give UIC all the credit," Loyola head coach Jim Whitesell said. "This is a good rivalry game. We just didn't hit the shots when we needed to and didn't get the stops when we needed them."

Loyola held an early three-point lead before UIC went on a 14-6 run to open up a 25-18 first-half lead with 6:09 left to play. The Ramblers shot 50 percent (13 for 26) from the field and turned the ball over only five times in the first period, but trailed 37-32 at the break. Blake Schilb scored 13 first-half points, but was whistled for his third foul with 2:37 remaining in the half.

Leon Young's three-point play to open the second stanza brought Loyola within a basket at 37-35, but Schilb was sent to the bench early after picking up his fourth foul just 1:19 into the period. UIC would build the lead back up to seven points (48-41) before the Ramblers went on a 13-7 run to slice their deficit to 55-54 with 9:29 left.

Loyola trailed 64-61 with 2:23 left, but UIC would score 11 of the game's next 13 points to take a commanding 75-63 advantage en route to the victory, its first at home versus the Ramblers since 2004.

J.R. Blount scored 20 of his team-high 22 points in the second half for Loyola. Schilb added 15 points, four boards and three assists while Andy Polka registered 14 points and seven rebounds. Majak Kou chipped in 12 points.

The Ramblers wrap up their three-game road swing when they travel to Detroit on Wednesday, Jan. 17.