SECOND HALF COMEBACK FUELS SYCAMORES 76-71 WIN OVER LOYOLA

SECOND HALF COMEBACK FUELS SYCAMORES 76-71 WIN OVER LOYOLA

Credit Source: Indiana State University Athletics

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — Indiana State mounted a furious second half comeback Sunday night against Loyola Chicago, erasing a 13-point deficit and holding on late for a 76-71 victory in Hulman Center.

The Sycamores (4-6, 1-4 MVC) used an 18-0 run over 6:44 in the second half to jump ahead of the Ramblers (7-3, 2-1 MVC) after trailing at the break. ISU finished with 49 points in the second half, its highest scoring output in a half on the season.

Senior Tyreke Key was the offensive spark for the Sycamores, scoring a season-high 31 points while shooting a blistering 66.7 percent (8-for-12) from the field. The guard also picked up his second double-double of the season with 10 rebounds while knocking down 12-of-14 free throws. Sophomore Cobie Barnes provided a spark off the bench, scoring a career-high 13 points, and junior Cooper Neese helped ISU jump out of the gates strong, scoring 10 of his 12 points in the first half.

Loyola reserve big man Tom Welch led the way for the Ramblers, scoring 18 points, while Camron Krutwig added 11 points and six rebounds, and Lucas Williamson added 10 and six.

After committing nine turnovers in the first half and being outscored in points off turnovers 14-3, Indiana State tightened up its ball control and committed just three in the second half. Meanwhile, the Sycamores’ defensive intensity turned up as well, as they forced the Ramblers into 14 second half turnovers and finished with a 20-16 advantage in points off turnovers.

Though finishing the game on the short end of the rebound battle (33-31), Indiana State finished on the better end of the turnover contest (12-15), had more steals (6-5), and more blocks (5-2), while narrowly edging Loyola in shooting from the floor, 44 percent (22-of-50) to 43 percent (25-of-58). Crucially, the Sycamores also converted 19 points off of fast breaks compared to the Ramblers five.

To put the game on ice, Indiana State shot 12-for-14 from the free throw line in the final 94 seconds of the contest. For the game, the Sycamores shot 77.4 percent (24-of-31) from the charity stripe, including 83 percent (24-of-29) in the second half.

The Loyola offense looked like it had taken control of the game midway through the first half, going on a 14-0 run to erase an early Indiana State lead. The Ramblers led by as many as 13 before the Sycamores cut the deficit to single digits at the break.

Indiana State and Loyola wrap their weekend series with another nationally televised game, this time on CBS Sports Network, beginning Monday, Jan. 11 at 7 p.m.

For the latest information on Sycamore Basketball, be sure to visit GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.