Loyola Ramblers Defeat Missouri State Bears 71-62 at JQH Arena

The Loyola Ramblers pull out a 71-62 win over the Missouri State Bears in front of a crowd of 6,117 Sunday afternoon at JQH Arena.

In a game that featured ten lead changes and three ties, the Ramblers held a 29-28 lead at the half, then took the lead for good at the 16:30 mark of the second half on a three pointer by Keith Clemons.

Loyola increased its lead to ten points with eight and a half minutes left in regulation on a three pointer by Tom Welch, but the Bears got it down to one point, 57-56, on a trey by freshman Isaac Haney with 4:48 remaining.

But every time Missouri State made a run, Loyola had an answer. After Haney’s big shot, the Ramblers got a jumper from Aher Uguak to make it 59-56, then Lucas Williamson hit his third three pointer of the game at the 3:37 mark to extend the Ramblers’ advantage to six.

Tate Hall’s third trey of the afternoon came at the 1:44 mark, making it a three possession contest.

But the Ramblers hit some big three pointers and free throws down the stretch to come away with the win.

Braden Norris and Williamson went 4-4 at the free throw line in the final minute to seal the win for Loyola.

The Ramblers improve to 18-4 overall, 9-2 in the Missouri Valley Conference, while the Bears drop to 17-8 overall, 8-4 in the MVC.

Senior Gaige Prim scored 21 points to lead Missouri State, and pulled down ten rebounds.

J’Monta Black added 14 points and Isiaih Mosley put in 12.

Williamson led four Ramblers in double figures with 19 points.

Loyola made eight of 17 three point attempts, while the Bears hit only four in 21 attempts.

The Ramblers connected on 11 of 13 attempts from the free throw line, with MSU going 8-11.

Loyola outrebounded Missouri State 30-26 and had 12 turnovers compared to the Bears’ nine.

The loss drops MSU to fourth in the Missouri Valley Conference standings behind Loyola (9-2), Northern Iowa (9-3) and Drake (8-3).

The Bears continue to battle for position in the Valley, hitting the road to take on the Drake Bulldogs Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m.

After Sunday’s game, Bears Coach Dana Ford addressed the media to talk about his team’s loss: