Dec. 5, 2006

Box Score

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Majak Kou scored a team-best 19 points but it wasn't enough for Loyola University Chicago (6-3) as it dropped a 78-62 decision to Purdue (7-1) at Mackey Arena tonight. Purdue seized control of the game with an 18-3 run to close the first half and never looked back.

"We just got outplayed tonight," Loyola head coach Jim Whitesell said. "I liked our effort, but every time we made a run, Purdue answered it. Give credit where credit is due. They were a better team tonight."

Loyola hit 9 of its first 11 shots in the first half and jumped out to a 25-18 lead with 6:19 left before the Boilermakers closed the period with an 18-3 run to take a 36-28 advantage at the break. After a hot start shooting the ball, the Ramblers connected on just 3 of their final 12 shots in the period and 15 first-half turnovers prevented them from extending their lead.

Kou's three-pointer with 16:23 remaining in the contest capped a 13-6 Loyola run to open the second half, which brought LU within a point, at 42-41. From there however, Purdue would score the next six points, five courtesy of Marcus Green, to reclaim control of the game.

The Ramblers closed to within 56-50 on another Kou three-pointer, but Purdue put the game out of reach with an 11-1 run that open up a 67-51 advantage.

Carl Landry scored a game-high 22 points to lead Purdue, while Kou notched 19 points and matched a career high with eight boards to pace Loyola. The Ramblers, who played without leading rebounder Leon Young, received a season-best 10 rebounds from freshman Andy Polka, who was making his first career start. Brandon Woods tallied a season-high 10 points as well. Loyola outrebounded Purdue, 37-30 for the game.

The Ramblers look to get back on track Saturday, Dec. 9, when they host Loyola New Orleans at 1 p.m.