No. 20 Loyola cruises over Southern Illinois
ST. LOUIS – Freshman Jacob Hutson had 13 points and Lucas Williamson and Braden Norris each added 11 and No. 20 Loyola earned a 73-49 win over Southern Illinois on Friday in the quarterfinals of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.
Loyola (22-4) opened the game on a 10-0 run before Anthony D’Avanzo scored the Salukis’ first basket 5:23 into the game.
The Ramblers have won three straight games against Southern Illinois (12-14) after sweeping a two-game set in Chicago to close out the regular season.
The Salukis were playing without guard Lance Jones, who was injured in the first half of Thursday night’s game against Bradley.
D’Vanzo led Southern Illinois with 18 points and freshman Dalton Banks, making his first career start in place of Jones, added 12 points.
Loyola led 35-22 at halftime and held a double-figure lead for the final 27:29 of the game.
BIG PICTURE
Southern Illinois: The Salukis are 0-16 in their past 16 games versus ranked opponents, extending the longest streak in school history. Their most recent win versus a ranked foe was a 64-62 triumph at home over then-No. 23 Wichita State on Feb. 5, 2013.
Loyola: The Ramblers are the first Missouri Valley Conference team to earn a top-two seed in the conference tournament for four straight seasons since Wichita State accomplished the feat during its last eight seasons in the conference from 2010-2017.
DYNAMIC DUO
Ramblers seniors Williamson and Cameron Krutwig continue to build on their mark as the winningest four-year players in school history with their 95th career wins.
STAYING IN SALUKIS’ LINEUP
With Jones’ injury, guard Trent Brown became the only Salukis player to start all 26 games this season.