1 | 2 | T | |
---|---|---|---|
ILST | 28 | 33 | 61 |
LUC | 33 | 35 | 68 |
Loyola-Chicago gets 25th win, holds off Illinois State 68-61
CHICAGO -- Ben Richardson hit two big 3-pointers and Clayton Custer hit from deep in the final minute as Missouri Valley Conference champion Loyola-Chicago pulled away from Illinois State late to win its regular season finale, 68-61 on Saturday afternoon.
In their 100th anniversary season the Ramblers (25-5, 15-3) already clinched their first outright regular season championship since 1984-85 and first as a member of the MVC. They won their program-record 15th conference game and have won seven straight, 14 of their last 15 and 15 of their last 16 on their home floor.
Illinois State, which had a three-game winning streak at Gentile Arena kept the game close and found answers for every Loyola run. When Richardson knocked down a big 3 with 2:23 left, William Tinsley answered to cut the Ramblers' lead to one, 58-57. But Richardson answered from deep again to make it 61-57.
Custer, who averages just under 15 points per game and who missed five games due to injury (including three of its five losses) was 0-for-9 before finding open space on the wing, taking a long pass from Cameron Krutwig and knocking down a clutch 3 that made it 64-59 with :59 left.
Tinsley missed two 3-point attempts for the Redbirds while Marques Townes and Richardson each made a pair of free throws to close it out.
Krutwig finished with 16 points, with Richardson adding 12 and Donte Ingram 11.
Tinsley led Illinois State (16-4, 10-8) with 21 points, with Keyshawn Evans adding 20.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Tom O'Neill
- Brooks Wells
- Owen Shortt
2023-24 Missouri Valley Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
Indiana State | 17-3 | - | 32-7 |
Drake | 16-4 | 1 | 28-7 |
Bradley | 13-7 | 4 | 23-12 |
Belmont | 12-8 | 5 | 20-13 |
Northern Iowa | 12-8 | 5 | 19-14 |
Southern Illinois | 11-9 | 6 | 19-13 |
Illinois State | 9-11 | 8 | 15-17 |
Murray State | 9-11 | 8 | 12-20 |
Missouri State | 8-12 | 9 | 17-16 |
Evansville | 6-14 | 11 | 17-18 |
UIC | 4-16 | 13 | 12-21 |
Valparaiso | 3-17 | 14 | 7-25 |
2023-24 Atlantic 10 Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
Richmond | 15-3 | - | 23-10 |
Loyola Chicago | 15-3 | - | 23-10 |
Dayton | 14-4 | 1 | 25-8 |
Massachusetts | 11-7 | 4 | 20-11 |
VCU | 11-7 | 4 | 24-14 |
Duquesne | 10-8 | 5 | 25-12 |
George Mason | 9-9 | 6 | 20-12 |
St. Bonaventure | 9-9 | 6 | 20-13 |
Saint Joseph's | 9-9 | 6 | 21-14 |
La Salle | 6-12 | 9 | 16-17 |
Fordham | 6-12 | 9 | 13-20 |
Rhode Island | 6-12 | 9 | 12-20 |
Davidson | 5-13 | 10 | 15-17 |
Saint Louis | 5-13 | 10 | 13-20 |
George Washington | 4-14 | 11 | 15-17 |