March 4, 2008

Box Score

MILWAUKEE - J.R. Blount scored a game-high 23 points, hitting 8 of 11 shots from the field, to help eighth-seeded Loyola University Chicago (12-18) to a 57-51 victory over fifth-seeded Milwaukee (14-16) in a first-round game in the Horizon League Championship tonight at U.S. Cellular Arena. With the win, the Ramblers advance to the second round at Butler's Hinkle Fieldhouse, where they will meet city rival and No. 4 seed UIC on Friday, March 7 at 7 p.m. Central.

"This was a tough, tough game," Loyola head coach Jim Whitesell said. "J.R. (Blount) willed us to that win by making several big plays down the stretch. Two of the biggest were the assists at the end of the game. When he gets baskets, it really helps our offense."

Both teams struggled to get into any kind of rhythm on the offensive end of the floor in the first half as defense prevailed. The Ramblers limited the Panthers to 7 of 29 (24 percent) shooting in the opening 20 minutes, but held only a slim 19-17 lead at the half.

A Tracy Robinson three-pointer at the 17:31 mark of the second period gave Loyola a 26-20 lead, but Milwaukee would storm right back by scoring eight unanswered points to take a 28-26 lead. The host Panthers clung to a 48-47 lead with just over three minutes remaining when Andy Polka and Ross Forman hit consecutive lay-ups and Blount sank a free throw to give the Ramblers the lead for good.

Jason Averkamp connected on a trey to bring Milwaukee within a point (52-51) with just under a minute to go, but Forman hit a critical basket with 27 seconds left as Loyola held on for the win.

In addition to his 23 points, Blount added four boards, three assists and a pair of steals, while Robinson tallied 13 points and Forman added 10.

Milwaukee was led by 17 points from Ricky Franklin.