(Evansville, IN) – A strong second half comeback and a will to win, put Loyola Chicago in the ‘champions’ category for 2015. The Ramblers defeated Lousiana-Monroe 63-62 to sweep the College Basketball Invitational championship round in two games.
Milton Doyle (13 points) gave the Ramblers their second lead of the second half with a jumper at 3:40 left, making the score 59-58. His two free throws increased the lead to 61-58 with 2:59 to go, and senior Christian Thomas’ layup (9 points all in the second half) with 1:12 left gave the Ramblers a 63-60 lead, they would never relinquish.
Earl Peterson – loyolaramblers.com
Loyola trailed by eight points, seven minutes into the second half, but rallied for their 24th win and first postseason championship since 1963. Earl Peterson was named the tournament MVP. It is the Missouri Valley’s first title since Wichita State won the National Invitation Tournament in 2011.
Devon Turk led the Ramblers with 14 points, while making four three-point baskets.
Ironically it is the first postseason experience as a Head Coach for Porter Moser and the Ramblers were perfect in their five CBI games. As our friend Mark Adams points out, the Ramblers were 19-6 with Milton Doyle in the lineup.
MVC teams are now 13-3 and in postseason play (.813) leading all Division 1 conferences in winning percentage. Those 13 wins ties the league’s 2013 record. Evansville plays for the College Insider.com Tournament championship tonight. The Valley has never won two postseason tournaments in the same season.
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Flooding, lightning strikes, etc. have cost @RacersHoops two home games. Had to play 'neutral site' tonight instead of at home and Wednesday's goes from home to away. Tough break for the Racers, and the whole area has been hit with difficulties. #FatherHarry
Murray State's scheduled home game Wednesday vs. Southern Illinois being moved to Banterra Center in Carbondale. #ValleyHoops
Gigantic game for @BradleyUMBB today in Des Moines. If they have a chance to catch @DrakeBulldogsMB, they have to win today. The Bulldogs can basically win the title today. @BustingBrackets breaks it all down. #FatherHarry https://bit.ly/3EGiVgi
Not rooting for any particular @ValleyHoops, but chaos is always fun. If things break certain ways, after today there could be a six-way tie for fifth place.
Fun to listen to @MLBLarry on the @SIU_Basketball/@BelmontMBB game tonight. Good job brother. #FatherHarry
