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Forty Years Ago Today

1/19/03
by John C. Thomas

Saturday, January 19, 1963 vs. Kent State at Kent

After a nine-day layoff, the Ramblers made a two-game swing through Ohio. Up first was Kent State, a team that was struggling through a dismal 1-8 season to that point. In spite of Kent's troubles, a season-high 7,207 showed up at Memorial Gym to see Loyola's run-and-gun attack in person.

Loyola started slowly, and trailed Kent until Les Hunter made a basket in the fourth minute of the game to put the Ramblers on top for good. Loyola then proceeded to chew up the Flashes, racing out to a 51-34 halftime lead by hitting on 19 of 37 shots in the first half. It was more of the same in the second frame, as Loyola's starters and five bench players outscored the Flashes 45-21. The Ramblers nearly doubled Kent's boards and shot 48% from the field in the easy 96-55 victory.

Six Ramblers scored in double figures, including all five starters and Billy Smith off the bench with 12 points. Loyola's domination was so complete that Coach Ireland was able to play five players for significant minutes off the bench-- Smith, Pablo Robertson, Earl Johnson, Dan Connaughton, and Rich Rochelle-- who combined for 26 points.

Kent State captain Denny Klug led the Flashes with 16 points, and Loyola held their opponents to just 31% shooting from the field.