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Ramblers Rattle the Pens

1/03/04
by John C. Thomas
Paul McMillan had a career high 26 points and Loyola’s free throw shooting came up big in LU’s conference opener, an 85-78 win over Youngstown State Saturday afternoon at the Gentile Center. The Ramblers improved to 5-5 overall and 1-0 in the Horizon League by hitting some key free throws down the stretch while the Penguins uncharacteristically shot blanks at the line.

The two teams exchanged see-saw streaks early in the first half. After YSU took a 9-5 lead in the first three minutes, Loyola countered with a 15-2 run led by the good defense and ball movement of Demetrius Williams, Louis Smith, Blake Schilb, DaJuan Gouard, and Terrance Whiters.

With Loyola up 20-11 and 10:40 remaining in the half, YSU used clutch outside shooting to come back and take a 38-35 lead with two minutes left in the half. After LU regained a three point lead with the first half seconds ticking down, Youngstown’s Andrew Jahnke notched his 14th point of the half on a three at the buzzer to send the teams into the locker room tied at 41.

The Ramblers shot well from the field and the line early in the second half, but YSU hung right with Loyola. After several ties and lead changes, the Penguins held a 66-64 lead with 7:29 left in the game thanks to seven Loyola turnovers in the first 12 ½ minutes of the second half.

Youngstown State was in the bonus for the final 13 minutes of the game, and the LU turnovers and free throws kept them in the game despite horrible shooting from the field. With two minutes left to play, YSU and the Ramblers were tied at 77, and the Penguins were close to getting their first road conference win in their 2+ years in the league.

But the Ramblers’ biggest weakness so far this season and one of the Penguins’ biggest strengths switched jerseys in the closing seconds. Adam Baumann, a 78% free throw shooter coming into the game missed two free throws that could have tied the game with 90 seconds left. Just seconds later, Doug Underwood (91% from the line entering the game) missed three free throws in a row that would have made it a one possession game. Meanwhile, Schilb and Williams hit just enough free throws for the Ramblers to ice the game.

Paul McMillan’s career high 26 points included 11-for-12 shooting from the free throw line, and McMillan notched another double-double with 10 boards. Blake Schilb had 18 points for Loyola, and Demetrius Williams added 13 points to go with six rebounds and five blocked shots. Jahnke led the Pens with a career-high 19 points.

The Ramblers didn’t so much get the win as avoid the loss. The Pens are 0-17 in road conference games since joining the league, but nevertheless found themselves tied in today’s game with two minutes left. If not for going 0-for-5 from the free throw line in the final 90 seconds, they might have pulled out the game against the turnover-prone Ramblers.

Loyola managed only 16 assists to 15 turnovers, and continued to have problems guarding the outside shot. The Pens hit 10-of-24 (41%) from behind the arc. But Loyola’s frontcourt strength made the difference in the game as the Ramblers outrebounded YSU 37-30 and rejected seven shots.

The Ramblers head for Cleveland next to face the Vikings Monday night at 6:00 p.m. Central time.