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Ramblers Overcome Obstacles, Vikings

1/05/04
by John C. Thomas
Three Loyola players scored 20 points or more in a wild game against Cleveland State at the Convocation Center on Monday night. Terrance Whiters scored 17 of his season-high 23 points in the second half as Loyola battled the airlines, an eligibility question, the weather, and the Vikings to notch an important 90-83 road win.

Loyola was grounded by the weather and the airlines, but bussed it to Cleveland without Blake Schilb. The 6’7” freshman, who recently worked his way into the starting lineup, was held back in Chicago pending an eligibility review.

In spite of the difficulties, the Ramblers seemed pumped at the start of the game. Freshman starter Majak Kou scored 10 of his 11 points in the first four minutes of the game to stake Loyola to an early 18-11 lead. The rest of the Ramblers chimed in soon after to stretch the advantage to 32-19 with 10:20 remaining in the half.

But Cleveland State, behind the nearly unstoppable play of Horizon League newcomer Omari Westley, climbed right back into the ballgame to tie it up at 38 with 5:03 left before the half. CSU actually took the lead at 42-40 on the crest of a 23-8 run with 3:05 left before Loyola deadlocked the game at 44 going into the break.

The second half was a battle between the scoring might of Westley and Whiters. Loyola’s Whiters came out on fire, scoring the first four points of the second period. CSU rode Westley to a 60-58 advantage with 13:40 remaining in the game. Whiters came right back, answering the CSU charge with a three, a steal and a layup, and another three to give LU a 68-62 lead with 11:14 remaining.

The Vikes tied the game at 70 all with just over nine minutes left, but another three by Whiters gave Loyola the lead for good. The Ramblers hit free throws and key shots in the crunch to extend the lead to double digits and then survive free throw shooting for the win.

Both teams played with their blood up for this game, and combined for 45 fouls. Even the fans were riled up in this game, as evidenced by two courtside CSU fans being removed from the building at the instruction of the referees midway through the second half.

Terrance Whiters played his best game in over a year, shooting 50% from the field, 50% from behind the arc, and 100% from the free throw line. He added five assists and two key steals to his team-high 23 points. Demetrius Williams had 22 points and 14 boards for the Ramblers, and Horizon League Player of the Week Paul McMillan had 21 points. Majak Kou was the fourth Rambler in double digits with 11 points.

Omari Westley, looking like a cinch for Horizon League Newcomer of the Year, scored a game- and career-high 30 points for the Vikes to go with 13 rebounds.

In a rare turnabout, the Ramblers were out-rebounded 44-38 for the game, but out-shot their opponents from the field, behind the arc, and from the line-- on the road. When was the last time that happened in a Loyola road victory?

The fact that Loyola was able to come away with this victory amid so many unusual circumstances-- the bus ride, the weather, the depleted bench, out on the road, etc.-- bodes well for the next few games. What once looked like a murderer’s row section of the schedule now looks like just another annoying hurdle that the team can overcome if they shake off the doubts.

Cleveland State has been mounting up the losses, but they’re not a bad team, especially with Omari Westley to solidify their scoring. Except for a drubbing at Kent State, they’ve been right in every game they’ve played this year. I think this win at Cleveland State may later prove to be much more important than it seems now, especially with the Horizon apparently up for grabs.

A nice road win for the Ramblers sets up the team for what would be the granddaddy of all road wins-- knocking off a strangely vulnerable UIC team at the Pavilion Thursday night. The Ramblers haven’t won in that building since the Reagan administration. A win over the Flames on Thursday would turn the conference race inside-out.