Loyola’s home win streak at 27

Behind a strong second half, Loyola rolled past Indiana State 88-76 in the Missouri Valley Conference opener Wednesday night for its 27th consecutive victory at Gentile Arena. The Ramblers have also won 21 games in a row at home against conference opponents.

Lucas Williamson led four players in double figures with 20 points for the Ramblers (6-2, 1-0), who shot 68.4 percent (13-for19) from the field in the second half and used a 12-3 run to take control of the game.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Hammock earns MAC coaching honor

Northern Illinois coach Thomas Hammock was named MAC Coach of the Year after leading the Huskies (8-4, 6-2) to the West Division title. Hammock joins Bill Mallory (1983), Joe Novak (2002) and Rod Carey (2013) as NIU coaches to earn the honor.

Running back Jay Ducker (fourth in the MAC in rushing with 889 yards on 165 carries with three touchdowns in 10 games) was selected as the league’s Freshman of the Year.

† Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud was named the Big Ten offensive player of the year and freshman of the year. Northwestern offensive lineman Peter Skoronski earned secondteam honors, and Illinois center Doug Kramer and running back Chase Brown earned second- and third-team honors, respectively.

† The latest meeting on expanding the College Football Playoff wrapped up without a resolution as the people involved agreed to keep talking. The CFP’s board of managers instead will meet again in January at the national championship game in Indianapolis.

Heat’s Adebayo (thumb) to miss weeks

Heat star Bam Adebayo needs surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb and is expected to miss four to six weeks. He’s averaging a career-best 18.7 points this season, along with 10.2 rebounds.

† Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard will miss at least 10 days because of lower abdominal tendinopathy.

† The WTA is suspending tournament play in China because of concerns about the safety of Peng Shuai.

Sun-Times wires