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Ramblers Return to Joe, Winning

12/31/02
by John C. Thomas
The Ramblers got back on the winning track in their first game at the Gentile Center in three long weeks. Loyola built a huge lead in the first half and played through some sloppiness and tired legs from four games in five days to defeat Youngstown State 76-59. The Ramblers go to 1-1 in conference while the Pens fall to 0-1.

Balanced scoring and excellent defense and hot three point shooting led the Ramblers to a 43-22 halftime lead. Kevin Clancy hit on three consecutive three point shots and David Bailey regained his shooting touch as four different Ramblers scored eight points or more in the first frame.

In the second half, the Pens whittled away at the Loyola lead, cutting the deficit to 60-48 with 7:02 left and down to 10 points a few minutes later. Loyola struggled with the Pens' zone defense and appeared tired from their fourth game in five days. But the Ramblers weathered the storm in spite of seven missed free throws in the second frame, and eventually triumphed without any injuries or bloodshed.

David Bailey's shooting woes in recent games were forgotten by halftime. Bailey carried the Ramblers in the second half with 16 of LU's 33 second-half points. For the game, Bailey scored 25 points on 10 for 16 shooting while adding nine assists and four steals.

Demetrius Williams added 14 points, Paul McMillan chipped in 13, and Kevin Clancy had 12 for Loyola. Adam Baumann and Doug Underwood tied for YSU's game high in points with 13 each.

Loyola played a supurb game in the first half, but looked tired and confused in the second half. Fortunately, the Ramblers built a big enough cushion to survive the YSU push. With a taller starting lineup of Bailey, Terrance Whiters, Corey Minnifield, Williams, and McMillan, the bench saw only 47 minutes of action, with 28 of those coming from Kevin Clancy. Vas Tsimpliaridis, Joe Evert, and Justin Coons did not see any court time.

With his performance on Tuesday, David Bailey moved within 36 points of fourth place on the all-time Loyola scoring list. He also passed Keith Carter for third place on the all time Loyola assist list, and passed Chris Wilburn and Greg Williams for third place on the Loyola all-time steals list.