CBI Champions!

(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.

Loyola trailed by eight points, seven minutes into the second half, but rallied for their 24^th 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.

Do Good