Dec. 6, 2007

Box Score |  Quotes

CHICAGO - Despite out-rebounding visiting Green Bay (6-2, 1-0 Horizon) host Loyola University Chicago (2-5, 0-1 Horizon) dropped a hard-fought, 69-63 decision tonight at the Gentile Center in the Horizon League opener for both clubs. The Ramblers owned a decided 18-2 edge in second-chance points after grabbing a whopping 17 offensive rebounds but were unable to come away with the victory.

Green Bay used an early 13-4 run to turn a one-point deficit into an 18-10 lead just seven minutes into the contest. Loyola closed within three, at 18-15, on Dave Telander's three-pointer, but the Phoenix was able to build it largest lead of the night, 38-26, with 46 seconds remaining in the half. A jumper by Andy Polka and a three-pointer by Ross Forman just before the buzzer, brought Loyola within seven points, 38-31, at the half.

The Ramblers started the second stanza with a bang, posting six of the first eight points of the period to get within three, at 40-37, with the final tally coming on a basket by J.R. Blount. However, the Phoenix responded with eight unanswered points to go ahead, 48-37.

The resilient Ramblers clawed their way back as Blount's basket with 5:10 left made it a one-possession game, 53-50. The teams exchanged buckets for the next three-plus minutes before a Terry Evans lay-up and a pair of foul shots from Troy Cotton put Green Bay on top, 61-54, with 1:03 remaining and Loyola was unable to get closer than four points the rest of the way.

Blount led Loyola with 17 points, marking the eighth straight contest he has scored in double digits, while Tracy Robinson added 13 points, six rebounds, three assists and three blocks. Polka chipped in 10 points, a team-best eight boards, and three assists.

Mike Schachtner scored a game-high 20 points to lead Green Bay, which shot 50 percent from the field as a team.

The Ramblers, who have lost three straight home games for the first time since 2003-04, are back in action Saturday, Dec. 8 when they host Milwaukee.