LOYOLA SCORES UPSET AGAINST NO. 5 FLORIDA
Aundre Jackson scored 23 points, Cameron Krutwig added 14, and visiting Loyola stunned No. 5 Florida 63- 59 on Wednesday night in Gainesville, handing the Gators their third consecutive loss.
The Gators ( 5- 3) shot 36.9 percent from the field, missed 17 of 19 three- point attempts and finished with seven assists.
The Ramblers ( 9- 1) were much more efficient, shooting 52 percent from the field and making 6 of 12 three- pointers.
“It’s huge for us,” Loyola coach Porter Moser said. “We’re just trying to turn the culture of the program. It’s huge for us because of Florida’s program. They’ve been to Final Fours. They were in the Elite Eight last year. They’re fifth in the country.
“I’m not going to undersell the importance. It was a really good win for us, and I’m really proud of our guys. . . . Obviously, when you win a game like this, it’s a good spotlight on you. But you want that spotlight to burn even more inside as we prepare and get better as the season goes on.”
Center Cameron Krutwig scored 14 points and eight rebounds for the Ramblers, while Donte Ingram added 11 points and eight rebounds.
No Florida player reached double digits in scoring. The Gators led just 93 seconds.
It was Loyola’s first victory over a top- five team since its 63- 62 win over No. 4 Illinois on Dec. 22, 1984, at the Rosemont Horizon.
Illinois 64, Austin Peay 57
Michael Finke scored 17 points and grabbed eight rebounds to help the host Illini win their 12th consecutive nonconference home game. The Illini ( 7- 3) shot just 39.6 percent from the field and made just 21 field goals, but it was enough to snap a three- game skid.
The turning point came with just under five minutes left in the game. Locked at 50, Kipper Nichols stole an entry pass to the post and pushed the ball ahead. On the other end, Da’Monte Williams spotted up on the right wing and nailed a three- pointer to push the Illini ahead for good.
With 19.6 seconds left, Te’Jon Lucas was fouled on a layup attempt. He knocked down both free throws to make it a two-possession game and seal the victory.
In his first career start, Williams finished with five points, four rebounds and a team- high three steals.
DePaul 85, Central Connecticut 57
Eli Cain scored 17 points and Brandon Cyrus added 16 off the bench to lift the Blue Demons ( 4- 4) at Wintrust Arena. Tre’Darius McCallum and Marin Maric each scored 13 points for the Demons, who led 39- 23 at halftime.
UIC 76, Wisconsin- Parkside 48
Dikembe Dixson scored 17 points, Dom- inique Matthews added 13 points and Tai Odiase 11 for the host Flames ( 3- 5).
Washington 74, No. 2 Kansas 65
Matisse Thybulle hit five three- pointers and scored 19 points, Jaylen Nowell added 15, and the Huskies ( 7- 2) led most of the way in upsetting the Jayhawks ( 7- 1) in Kansas City, Missouri.