Horizon League Links
Butler
Detroit
Illinois-Chicago
Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Wright State
Youngstown State
Horizon Connection
Forty Years Ago Today
2/27/03
by John C. ThomasWednesday, February 27, 1963 vs. Ohio at Alumni Gym
After their grueling road trip to Bowling Green, New York City and Houston, the Ramblers returned to Alumni Gym for a rematch against Ohio University, a team that gave them some trouble five weeks earlier in Athens. But this time, Loyola was playing in their home gym before 2,456 of their own fans. It would be a golden opportunity to gain some confidence before finishing out the season against #8 Wichita State Saturday at Chicago Stadium.
But no one filled in the Bobcats on the script Loyola had in mind. Ohio made 10 of its first 11 shots and repeatedly broke away from the Ramblers' full-court press for easy 3-on-1 and 2-on-1 baskets. Stunningly, the Ramblers found themselves trailing 54-47 at the half-the first time they'd been anywhere close to trailing at the half at Alumni Gym all year.
The officiating and scoreboard incensed the fired-up crowd. It wasn't until the second half that the referees discovered that they weren't supposed to give free throws on offensive fouls-an error that gave the Bobcats a 30-18 advantage on trips to the line. According to the Chicago Tribune, one Loyola fan caused a ruckus under the basket and had to be ejected from the building, and there was water thrown on the court causing a delay of the game.
Loyola did not change their game plan in the second half-- they just turned it up a notch. And Ohio was not prepared for it. The Ramblers reeled off the nine straight points to begin the second half, and took a 56-54 lead. With the game tied at 78-all midway through the second half, Loyola went on a devastating 23-11 run to take command at 101-89 with 3:27 remaining. Les Hunter and Jerry Harkness led the Ramblers' offensive charge, combining for 66 points in the game. The Ramblers out-scored the Bobcats 67-40 in the second half to earn their 24th win of the year, 114-94. It was the 10th time that the Ramblers had topped 100 points on the season.
With 1:27 remaining and Loyola in firm control, Harkness was taken out of his final game at Alumni Gym to a standing ovation. In his three years playing for the varsity, the silky-smooth lefty had helped lead the Ramblers to an unbelievable 27-1 record at Alumni Gym, and 21 consecutive wins going back to February 1961. It was a heartfelt ovation-the last time the crowd would be able to cheer the Ramblers' all-time scoring leader on campus.
Hunter led Loyola with 34 points, Harkness had 32, and every Rambler starter scored in double-digits. Vic Rouse led Loyola with 20 rebounds as the Ramblers out-boarded the Bobcats 56-46.