CHICAGO  – The Loyola Ramblers put together an offensive stretch in the second half on Wednesday night in which they made 9-of-10 three-point shots, turning a one-point Illinois State lead into a 16-point advantage as the Illinois State Redbirds fell 84-69 on the road on Wednesday evening.
How it Happened
The Redbirds led early after a DJ Horne three-pointer, and there were two lead changes and three tie scores through the first five minutes of the game. With the teams tied at seven, the hosts ran off 11 consecutive points to push ahead to an 11-point lead. The double-digit margin remained at 22-11 halfway through the opening half before ISU ran off seven straight points, capped by a Ricky Torres three-pointer. Trailing 26-22, Illinois State out-scored Loyola 16-8 to close the half to take a four-point, 38-34 lead into the locker room at halftime.
The Redbirds held a one-point, 48-47 lead six minutes into the second half before Loyola made its next seven three-point shots, turning the one-point deficit into a 16-point lead after the seventh and final three-pointer of the stretch, as the teams cruised to the 84-69 final score.
Key Moment
The eight-minute stretch in the back end of the second half where Loyola made seven consecutive three-pointers – bookended by three-pointers from Keith Clemons – pushed the hosts to a lead they would not give up for the game.
Inside the Box Score
- Zach Copeland scored a team-high 16 points, making 5-of-10 shots from the field and 4-of-8 from beyond the arc. He also dished out a team-high five assists in the loss.
- The game was his 23rd double-figure scoring game of the season, and the 12th time this season he has made at least three three-point field goals.
- Now with 74 made three-pointers this season he stands five makes away from climbing into the top-10 for most single-season three-pointers in school history. He also passed Osiris Eldridge for the fourth-most single-season three-point makes by a senior in program history.
- Horne went for 15 points, making 6-of-9 shots from the field while making all three of his three-point attempts.
- He pulled down a team-high-tying five rebounds, added a team-best two steals and dished out two assists.
- His three made three-pointers has him seventh in freshman school history for makes with 42, while his current long-range shooting percentage (.438) is the best by a freshman in a season in program history.
- The game was his 12th double-figure scoring game of the season, and his rebound total was one off of his career-high.
- Antonio Reeves, a Chicago native playing in front of a large number of friends and family, scored in double-figures with 12 points, making 4-of-11 shots from the field and all three of his free throw tries.
- The double-figure effort was his eighth of the season.
- Taylor Bruninga scored a season-high seven points, making his only field goal attempt – a three-pointer – while converting on all four of his free throw tries.
- His five rebounds tied for the team-high, as he has pulled down 11 rebounds combined over his last two games.
- For the game Loyola made 12-of-23 three-point field goals – 52.2 percent – the second-highest shooting performance against the Redbirds this season (Western Kentucky's 11-of-19, .579 was the only one higher).
Stat of the Game
Illinois State made 11-of-12 from the charity stripe in the game, as the .917 free throw percentage is the second-best of the season, behind only the 15-of-15 effort against Illinois Springfield in late November.
What's Next
The Redbirds return home for a pair of games, starting on Saturday, Feb. 22 against Drake, in a game that the school will honor seniors Copeland, Torres, Jaycee Hillsman, and Madison Williams in addition to the team's two senior managers.
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