Christian Thomas recorded his fourth double-double in the last nine games
 
Christian Thomas recorded his fourth double-double in the last nine games
 
 
Loyola Has Two-Game Winning Streak Snapped With 75-63 Loss To Detroit

Christian Thomas posts fourth double-double of the year for the Ramblers

Jan. 26, 2013

Box Score

CHICAGO - Christian Thomas recorded his fourth double-double in the last nine games, but it wasn't enough to overcome a balanced Detroit (13-8, 5-3 Horizon) attack that shot a whopping 76 percent (19 for 25) from the field in the second half, as Loyola University Chicago (12-8, 2-5 Horizon) dropped a 75-63 decision at Gentile Arena this afternoon. The loss snaps the Ramblers' modest two-game winning streak.

"All Detroit did was spread us out and take us one-on-one," Loyola head coach Porter Moser said. "In the first half, we did a lot of the things we wanted to do. We controlled the tempo and held them to 29 percent shooting. Christian Thomas played the hardest, possession-by-possession, of anyone in the gym. He was a warrior."

A potent Detroit offense that came into today's game as the Horizon League leader with 78.6 points per game got out of the blocks quickly, scoring the first eight points of the game. However, Loyola showed its resolve by battling back and a basket by Ben Averkamp brought the Ramblers within a basket at 16-14.

After the Titans stretched their lead back to six thanks to four straight free throws by Jason Calliste, the Ramblers closed the half with a 13-4 run which was punctuated by an Averkamp three-pointer, to take a 27-24 lead into the break.

Thomas was sensational in the first half as he almost single-handedly willed the Ramblers to a halftime lead. The sophomore forward recorded 12 points and nine rebounds in the opening 20 minutes and Loyola held Detroit to 29 percent (9 for 31) from the field.

Cully Payne knocked down three-pointers on consecutive possessions early in the second period as Loyola built a 35-28 advantage, its largest of the afternoon, but Detroit methodically chipped away at the Ramblers' lead. When Jordan Hicks was whistled for his fourth foul with 13:41 left to play, Loyola held a 43-39 lead, but from there, Detroit's Juwan Howard, Jr. heated up and accounted for nine of the Titans' next 18 points in an 18-6 run as they took a 57-49 advantage and never looked back.

The Ramblers would get within 63-57 on a layup by Payne, but back-to-back baskets by Howard and Doug Anderson sealed the outcome.

Thomas finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds for his fourth double-double in the last nine outings to lead Loyola. Payne finished with 15 points while Averkamp added 13 and seven rebounds.

Howard and Ray McCallum tallied 17 points apiece for Detroit.

Loyola continues a three-game homestand when it hosts Milwaukee on Wednesday (Jan. 30) night.