HL exhibitions

[Tipp City Raider]

November 1, 2007
Men's basketball: UWGB freshman Fletcher shines in first game
By Rob Demovsky

ASHWAUBENON — The roster says he's a freshman, but nothing Rahmon Fletcher did in his first college basketball game came with the expected missteps of a first-year point guard.

In the process, the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay might have answered its biggest question of the offseason. There appears to be little doubt the diminutive left-hander from Kansas City will be the Phoenix's starting point guard when the regular season opens Nov. 9 against Oakland (Mich.).

Fletcher did everything a coach could ask of a starting point guard in Wednesday's exhibition rout of UW-Superior, 82-52, in front 2,307 at the Resch Center. Sure, he sliced through the Yellowjackets' defense and scored nine points on 4-of-5 shooting. More importantly, he kept the ball moving and added fluidity to an offense that last season was far too stagnant.

"We've only played one game this year, but I can see how it's changed a lot since last year already," UWGB sophomore forward Randy Berry said. "Last year, we usually did too much dribbling and didn't swing the ball enough, but I think we've been doing a pretty good job of that so far.

"(Fletcher) is a great penetrator, and he's a lot quicker than most guys so he's going to get past them and find the open man."

About the only miscues Fletcher made were under throwing an alley-oop pass to Terry Evans and getting his pocket picked during garbage time. Those accounted for his only two turnovers, and he had one assist in 20 minutes.

The other point-guard candidates showed flashes, too. Fellow freshmen Bryquis Perine and Edgar Segura stated their cases for playing time, perhaps Segura more so than Perine.

Perine, the Milwaukee Vincent product, connected with Evans for an alley-oop dunk, but picked up two quick fouls and scored only two points and had one assist and three turnovers in 12 minutes.

Segura, the Mexican import by way of Texas, showed some of the flashy passes that have drawn comparisons between him and former Phoenix point guard Javier Mendiburu. He had three assists, one steal and only one turnover in 15 minutes.

"That's the good thing about this team: there's not one real solid point guard that's just going to start, and we don't have a problem with that," Fletcher said. "We can sub out and sub in. I trust (Perine) to go in and pick up where I left off and Edgar to pick up where he left off."

UWGB coach Tod Kowalczyk had been considering redshirting Segura but might be forced to reconsider after the way he played in the exhibition opener.

"He has not been as consistent as we'd like," Kowalczyk said. "If he plays like he did (Wednesday) and like he did (Tuesday) in practice, he's going to play a lot for us. With him, it's nothing more than getting adapted to American basketball and how hard guys play.

"But to be honest, all of three of those guys could start for us the way they played (Wednesday). I wouldn't be opposed to having any one of those guys play."

Everything that happened on Wednesday must be hedged by the fact that UW-Superior is expected to finish near the bottom of the Division III Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The Yellowjackets started four freshmen and a sophomore and shot just 29.6 percent. They made almost as many free throws (15) as they did baskets (16).

Offensively, the Phoenix got major production from its frontcourt. Starting forwards Mike Schachtner (15 points) and Berry (12 points and 11 rebounds) combined to made 12-of-19 shots. Backup forward Cordero Barkley scored 11 of his 16 points in the second half. Evans came off the bench and had nine points, nine rebounds and five steals.

If the Phoenix can clean up its defense, it looks like a team that's capable of living up to — or even exceeding — its third-place selection in the Horizon League's preseason poll.

"They've been a team that has been a model of consistency since coach Kowalczyk has been here, and I think that's a tribute to those guys," Yellowjackets coach Dave Buchanan said. "At their level, a lot of people can look for a quick fix, but they have done it the right way, and they're really going to reap the benefits here in the near future.

"They're going to be very good. I wouldn't be surprised if you see them playing deep into March. The two biggest things that I see that's different from past years are they're going to have tremendous depth, and they're going to be versatile."

www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071101/GPG020101/711010510/1225/GPGsports

[Tipp City Raider]

November 2, 2007
Bulldogs turn up the heat
By David Woods

St. Joseph's would not be cast as the Washington Generals opposite a Butler basketball team in the role of Harlem Globetrotters.
For most of Thursday night, the Division II visitors from Rensselaer played Butler even in an exhibition game at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
"There came a point where we came to the huddle and we said, 'We've really got a chance,' " St. Joseph's guard Devin Thomas said. " 'We can really make a statement here in this game.' "
Then the Bulldogs increased defensive intensity, sank 3-pointers and made their own statement in a 75-50 victory. That is, they bear some resemblance to the team that was 29-7 last season and reached the NCAA Sweet Sixteen.
"They are exactly what we saw on TV and what we thought they were," St. Joseph's coach Richard Davis said.
Davis didn't mean to echo a Dennis Green sound bite from the oft-played beer commercial. And, the fact is, the Bulldogs didn't always play like the team everyone thought they were.
In the first half, they shot 3-of-14 on 3-pointers and were outrebounded 16-9. The veteran Bulldogs -- their five seniors started -- needed a spark from freshmen Matt Howard, Zach Hahn and Shawn Vanzant.
"They came in and picked us up in the first half," Butler guard Mike Green said.
Howard had 12 points, four rebounds, two assists and two blocked shots in 20 minutes. In one sequence, he blocked a shot and then dunked on the other end. Hahn delivered three assists -- and no turnovers -- in 13 minutes.
The Bulldogs had plenty of open looks in the first half. They just missed 'em.
"You have to go down and lose that play and move on to the next one," said Brad Stevens, who was in his first game as Butler's head coach. "I thought we got better at that as the game went on, and I thought our shooting was a result of really picking it up on the other end of the floor in the second half."
During one stretch, the Bulldogs were 6-of-7 on 3s to finish 9-of-25. They closed on a 13-0 run to make the score more lopsided than the game.
A.J. Graves led Butler in points (19) and assists (five) and was without a turnover. Green had 12 points but struggled with ballhandling (four turnovers) and free throw shooting (6-of-11). Drew Streicher added 10 points.
Stevens said Butler might have executed its offense as well in the first half as in the second.
"Offensively, I think our stuff was good. We just weren't knocking down shots," Streicher said. "I think we were probably a little anxious tonight."
Thomas, a senior from Pike High School, led the Pumas with 12 points. Centerville's Brandon Mayse had 10 points and 12 rebounds.
Butler plays its final exhibition game Saturday against visiting Marian College before opening the season Nov. 9 at Ball State.

www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071102/SPORTS06/711020463&theme=

[Tipp City Raider]

Panthers win without Smith
By DAN MANOYAN
Nov. 1, 2007

UW-Milwaukee basketball coach Rob Jeter said going in that he would give playing time to his youngsters at the expense of his veteran players in his team's exhibition opener with UW-Parkside on Thursday at the U.S. Cellular Arena.

But it is doubtful that this is what he had in mind.

The Panthers opened their season without Avery Smith, the team's leading scorer last season, after his indefinite suspension for "a violation of team rules." UWM rallied behind 17-point efforts from freshman Tim Flowers and senior Ricky Franklin to outlast the feisty Division II Rangers, 86-83.

In discussing Smith's indiscretions after the game, Jeter was vague as to what caused the suspension and also about how long "indefinite" would be.

"We have team rules and some of those things aren't being followed right now," Jeter said. "I have expectations with my guys and when those things aren't being met, there are consequences.

"My focus is with the guys that are there in the locker room. They are the ones that deserve to be talked about."

Jeter gave no hint when Smith would return to the squad. He averaged 15.5 points per game last season and was a preseason all-Horizon League selection.

"I have no idea what the timetable will be," he said.

As was the case last year when Division II Parkside upset the Panthers, 77-71, nothing came easily for UWM this time around. The Panthers led by as many as 13, at 70-57, on Torre Johnson's jumper with 5 minutes 34 seconds left but the Rangers were anything but finished.

Racine St. Catherine's graduate LaVontay Fenderson, who led all scorers with 22 points, scored Parkside's final nine to keep the fans in their seats till the end. Fortunately for the Panthers, Flowers was virtually unstoppable inside (7 for 12) and Franklin connected on 4 of 5 threes to avoid last year's fate.

"He's a load," said Parkside coach Luke Reigel of the 6-foot-4 Flowers, who added five rebounds. "It wasn't a lack of effort (on him), but he's got a low center of gravity and he's very strong.

"The kid's a winner. . . . His (high school team, Chicago Simeon) won back to back state titles."

Jeter was equally effusive in his praise of his prize freshman.

"He has some abilities around the basket that makes it difficult to stop him," he said. "He gets more out of that 6-4 body and however many pounds he has than anybody I've ever seen."

Franklin, who wasn't in the starting lineup that included Paige Paulsen, Flowers, Johnson, Allan Hanson and Roman Gentry, led the team with 27 minutes. With Smith out, his outside shooting was all the more valuable.

"You could say that," Franklin said when asked if he was asked to pick up the slack for Smith's absence. "Coach told me to be aggressive, push the ball and play hard on defense."

Parkside actually had two more field goals than UWM (29-27) but the Panthers shot 42 free throws and converted 27 compared with 16 of 21 for the Rangers, who live and die with the jump shot.

"It's been a long time since we shot 42 free throws in a game," Jeter remarked.

"We made more than they attempted. That was the difference in the game."

Another difference between this game and the one last year was the Panthers' improved defense. Last year, the Rangers converted better than 50% from the field but on this night, the Panthers held them to just 38.7% (29 for 75).

Johnson was the only other Panther to score in double figures, adding 13 points to go with his six rebounds. Paulsen added eight points and a team-high seven rebounds as the Panthers outboarded the Rangers, 52-32.

D.J. Danzler added 16 points and Kyle Clark scored 13 for the Rangers. Brad Ferstenou had 10 points and 10 rebounds for Parkside.

www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=681715

[Black PantherU]

Don't read a whole lot into the score.

Parkside returns almost the entire team from a year ago that went to the NCAA D-II tournament. They'd beat a few teams in this league.

Not only that, UWM played almost the entire team, while Parkside played their starters.

[Tipp City Raider]

Homer Drew counting on contributions from all four of his freshmen
Saturday, November 3, 2007
BY DAVID ROBB

VALPARAISO | The Valparaiso men's basketball team scrimmaged Northwestern in Evanston last Saturday. No official stats were kept, and no fans or media were present.

Good thing Howard Little's teammates were there to bring back the tales of his prolific shooting performance.

"If I had to guess, I'd say he made five or six 3s in a row," junior Jake Diebler said.

And if Little had to speculate on how many shots he didn't swish? "I think I only missed two," said VU's 6-foot-4 freshman guard, who estimated he scored more than 30 points through the three 20-minute sessions.

And if junior Brandon McPherson had to pinpoint a reason for Little's breakout performance? "He's never really been that aggressive," McPherson said, "so that was a great sign."

By all anecdotal accounts, Little turned the most heads at Saturday's scrimmage. But with several veterans nursing injuries, fellow freshmen Mike Rogers, Bryan Bouchie and Benjamin Fumey also saw significant playing time.

"I think that people will really enjoy the four freshmen," coach Homer Drew said of a class he believes brings more physicality to his team. "Bryan Bouchie is very strong on the inside. Bennie is solid, he can shoot the ball, he can post you up and he has a quick first step around the basket. Mike Rogers really shot the ball exceedingly well.

"...Howard played a really complete game. He's so steady on defense. He led us in offensive rebounds."

With VU bringing back its top seven scorers for a season that starts with tonight's exhibition game against Saint Joseph's, these freshmen likely won't be baptized by fire. But the more the Crusaders' first-year players grow up, the deeper their bench will be.

"I think one of our strengths is going to be how deep we are," Diebler said. "When you have four freshmen coming in, a lot of people don't anticipate that as being a strength. But they're very good freshmen."

"I think we only played eight, nine people last year," McPherson added. "This year we'll be able to play as many as we need to."

Of course, the Crusaders will only have the luxury of such depth if they can get (and stay) healthy.

Jarryd Loyd had eye surgery in September, then suffered a contusion in his right shooting shoulder last month. He sat out Saturday's scrimmage and returned to practice Thursday.

Bouchie sprained his ankle last month, then sprained the same ankle earlier this week. He also returned to practice Thursday.

Diebler suffered a concussion roughly three weeks ago that kept him from practicing or lifting weights for 10 days. He returned in time for Saturday's scrimmage and split time at the point with McPherson, who has been bothered lately with what Drew describes as a "deep bruise on the side of his knee cap."

Then there's Matt Bennett, who is back at practice after having surgery on his right knee three weeks ago.

Drew said he hoped everyone would be available for tonight's game.

nwi.com/articles/2007/11/03/sports/college_sports/doc904767bd51ce605486257387006abc93.txt

[Tipp City Raider]

Early Run Spurs Crusaders to Exhibition Victory
11/4/07

Valparaiso jumped out to a 27-4 lead less than nine minutes into Saturday night’s exhibition game against St. Joseph’s (Ind.) at the Athletics-Recreation Center and led the rest of the way, defeating the Pumas 82-59.

“I thought we really had a good start to the game today,” said Crusader head coach Homer Drew. “Jake and Brandon were really doing a good job moving the ball on offense, and Sam was on fire shooting the ball. Defensively, we were working hard and really controlling the boards.”

Brandon McPherson (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North) hit a layup just 11 seconds into the contest off of a feed from Shawn Huff (Helsinki, Finland/Makelanrinne) to set the pace for the opening minutes. Samuel Haanpää (Kerava, Finland/Cornerstone [Texas] Christian) proceeded to knock down back-to-back triples on Valpo’s next two possessions for a quick 8-0 lead.

The Pumas’ Brandon Mayse hit a layup just over two minutes in to get St. Joseph’s on the board, but the Crusaders continued their barrage from behind the arc. 3-pointers by Jake Diebler (Upper Sandusky, Ohio/Upper Sandusky) and Jarryd Loyd (Lincolnwood, Ill./Niles West) extended Valpo’s advantage to 17-2, and after another Puma basket, Haanpää knocked down two more 3-pointers to make it a 23-4 game.

Freshman Bryan Bouchie (Washington, Ind./Washington) followed by making his first mark on the scorebook as a Crusader, knocking down a jumper and hitting two free throws to extend the lead to 23. The margin the rest of the half would fluctuate between 15 and 20 points, and Valpo went into the break leading 43-25.

The Crusaders started the second half strong as well, scoring 16 of the first 25 points, including 10 points from Huff, to extend their edge to 59-34 with 15:55 to play. St. Joseph’s slowly crawled back into the contest, cutting Valpo’s advantage to 13 with 6:11 left, but the Crusaders went on a 13-1 run to solidify the victory.

Haanpää led Valpo in the scoring column with 21 points, knocking down six of his seven attempts from behind the 3-point line. Three other Crusaders posted double-figure scoring efforts, as Huff poured in 12 points, Loyd scored 11 points, and Urule Igbavboa (Oakdale, Minn./Tartan) added 10 points. Igbavboa also led the Crusaders in most other statistical categories, pulling down six rebounds, dishing out five assists and blocking four shots.

St. Joseph’s was paced by 18 points off the bench from Marcus Jackson, but he was the only Puma to reach double figures in scoring. The Pumas hit just 30.4% (21-of-69) of their shots from the floor to Valpo’s 58.3% (28-of-48), but they did out-rebound the Crusaders 38-36 and registered 13 steals.

“The wonderful thing about playing exhibition games is learning about what your team needs to improve on,” said Drew. “We really saw three things we need to work on tonight: rebounding, especially offensively; limiting our turnovers (29); and doing a better job hustling and coming up with loose balls.”

Valparaiso kicks off the regular season on Monday, November 12 as the Crusaders host Grace in their first game as part of the South Padre Island Invitational. Tipoff is set for 7:05 p.m., and all the action can be heard live on the Valpo Sports Radio Network (WVUR, 95.1 FM; WEFM, 95.9 FM; WAKE, 1500 AM) or online at www.valpo.edu/athletics, where streaming video will also be available.

www.valpo.edu/athletics/news/mbb/110307_St_Josephs.php

[Tipp City Raider]

Early Offense Powers Titans Over Albion
November 2, 2007

The University of Detroit Mercy men's basketball team scored the games first 15 points and never looked back, as the Titans downed Albion College, 57-48, in an exhibition on Friday night at Calihan Hall.

Sophomore Josh Samarco fueled the early offense with three 3-pointers in the first five minutes of play. The UDM defense did its part holding the Britons scoreless for nearly nine minutes, forcing the visitors into four turnovers as well as missing their first 10 shots from the field.

Detroit's lead would eventually slip to seven, 23-16, with two minutes left in the first half, but the Titans came right back as sophomore Eulis Stephens started a 14-3 run with an emphatic dunk off a steal by Michael Harrington to give UDM a demanding 37-19 advantage early in the second stanza.

Albion would fight back cutting the Titan lead to single digits at one point when sophomore Nemanja Jokic took over. The second year forward scored six of Detroit's next eight points to go with two blocks and a pair of rebounds to get UDM back up by 10, 51-41.

Jokic finished as the Titans leading scorer with 13 points, combined with five rebounds, three blocks and two steals. Samarco finished the contest with 12 points, while Stephens added 11 markers. Sophomore guard Woody Payne guided the offense with five assists to go with five rebounds and four steals.

The Titans held Albion to just 28 percent shotting from the floor, while forcing the Britons into 18 turnovers.

UDM returns to action on Tuesday with its second and final exhibition of the season, as the Titans welcome Hope College to Calihan Hall. Tip-off is set for 7:05 p.m.

www.detroittitans.com/mbasketball.jsp?id=1194053540824

[Tipp City Raider]

Green Bay Shoots Past Lawrence, 87-62
Nov. 5, 2007

GREEN BAY, Wis. - Green Bay capped off its exhibition season with an impressive 87-62 victory over Lawrence Monday night at the Resch Center. The Phoenix shook off a sluggish start, in which the team totaled just 10 points in the first 10 minutes, to rattle off 77 over the final 30 minutes.

Rahmon Fletcher (Kansas City, Mo.) was the catalyst for Green Bay, scoring the first six points for the Phoenix. The freshman drained 14 points in the game's first 14:18. He finished with a game-high 20 in just 22 minutes of action.

Green Bay led by just one, 22-21, at the 7:36 mark before the Phoenix closed the half on a 20-2 run. Randy Berry (Plover, Wis.), who had eight points and eight boards in the opening stanza, started the uprising with layup off an assist from Fletcher.

Lawrence shot just 25 percent in the first half and Green Bay owned a 30-16 advantage on the glass, helping the Phoenix to a 42-23 lead at intermission.

Berry (10 points, 11 rebounds) finished with his second double-double in as many exhibition contests. Five other Phoenix players had at least eight points. Cordero Barkley (Racine, Wis.) matched Berry with 11 rebounds.

The Phoenix connected on 9-of-18 3-point shots on the evening, which included a 3-for-3 night from freshman Uriel Segura (Weslaco, Texas). Green Bay outscored Lawrence 34-16 inside the paint and 18-6 on second-chance buckets.

Green Bay starts the regular season Friday night when Oakland visits Titletown. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. at the Resch Center.

uwgbathletics.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/110507aaa.html

[Tipp City Raider]

Vikings Storm by Lake Erie, 67-46

Nov. 6, 2007

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cleveland State used a balanced scoring attack as all 14 players scored, but none in double figures, as the Vikings claimed a 67-46 victory over Lake Erie College in an exhibition contest on Tuesday night in the Wolstein Center.

Nick Weaver and Renard Fields led the way with nine points apiece, while Joe Davis scored eight and Cedric Jackson and D'Aundray Brown chipped in seven each. Field added a game-best nine rebounds, while George Tandy finished with six points and seven boards.

"We had some first game jitters today, but that was to be expected with so many new faces in the lineup, including several guys who haven't played in over a year," head coach Gary Waters said.

"I thought Renard was outstanding," Waters continued. "He came off the bench and gave us some great minutes offensively and defensively.

"The one thing I felt really good about was our defense," Waters continued. "We forced 37 turnovers and really pressured the ball tonight. Offensively, we'll get better each and every day, but we need to take better care of the basketball."

The Storm hung tough with CSU over the first five minutes of the contest as the Vikings led just 8-5. However, CSU went on a 10-0 run over the next three minutes as four different players scored buckets to assume an 18-5.

Lake Erie managed to stop the bleeding as a layup from John Dickson cut the lead to 18-7. A free throw by J'Nathan Bullock pushed the lead back to 12 points at 19-7, but a jumper from Matt Moore sliced the Viking lead back to 10 points (19-9) with 6:35 to play.

However, it was all CSU from there as the Vikings went on a 9-0 run spanning just under three minutes to take a 28-9 lead with 3:49 to play in the first half and never looked back. The run was highlighted by layups from George Tandy, Cedric Jackson and Bullock and a three-pointer from Nick Weaver.

The Vikings led 34-17 at halftime as nine players scored at least one field goal and no player tallied more than six points. In addition, CSU pressured the Storm into 21 first half turnovers, which led directly to 18 Vikings points.

CSU pushed the lead to as many as 23 points in the second half and used its advantages in speed and height as the Vikings wound up forcing 37 turnovers and held a 51-37 advantage on the boards, including 25-10 on the offensive end.

"We didn't execute as well as we are capable of, but Lake Erie had a lot to do with that," Waters said. "They are a very feisty team and can really shoot the ball. We need to do a better job of valuing the basketball and I have to get them to understand that. We know that we're going to get the ball back on defense and we need to do something with it offensively."

The Vikings have little time to enjoy the victory as they will begin the season with a 7:00 p.m. contest at USF on Friday (Nov. 9) at the Sun Dome.

"South Florida is a good team and they can really shoot the ball," Waters said. "It will be a good test for our opener."

csuvikings.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/110607aad.html

[Tipp City Raider]

Goode's Second Half Propels UDM Past Hope
November 6, 2007

Senior Jon Goode scored 26 second-half points as the Titans overcame an 18-point deficit to down Hope College, 73-64, on Tuesday night. The contest marked the final pre-season game for UDM as they prepare for Saturday's season opener.

Detroit had the early edge, 6-2, but a 7-0 run by Hope gave the visitors a 9-6 advantage five minutes into the contest. Sophomore Josh Samarco, who hit four 3-pointers against Albion, tied the game with another three-point basket, igniting a quick 8-1 spurt to put the Titans ahead 14-10 with 11:41 left in the first half. Hope, though, would end the first period on a 30-10 run en route to a 40-24 halftime lead.

The Titans started the second stanza on fire as they ran off six of the next eight points in the first two minutes, courtesy of Jon Goode. The senior guard scored all six points to get Detroit within 12, 42-30. UDM would eventually cut the Flying Dutchmen's lead to single digits, 53-44, with 9:50 left. The visitors briefly went up by 10 again, 57-47, but that is when the Calihan crowd and the Titans took over.

With the hometown fans on their feet, Detroit went on a 17-0 run with Goode once again paving the way. He started the streak with a three off a great pass by Nemanja Jokic. After Jokic hit two free throws, junior Woody Payne forced a turnover, and got the ball in the hands of Goode who got fouled while driving the lane and hitting a lay up. He then hit the free-throw to complete the old fashioned three-point play. The next time down the floor, Goode came through with another three-point shot, giving the Titans a 58-57 advantage with 4:11 left.

The run didn't stop there as senior Zach Everingham came up with a steal and a bucket followed by two more Goode baskets, giving UDM a 64-57 lead.

Goode ended the night with a game-high 34 points on 9-of-18 shooting, including 13-of-13 from the free-throw line. He also led all players with seven rebounds, while chipping in with three assists and a steal. Samarco tallied nine points, while Jokic recorded six rebounds, four points and four assists.

UDM held Hope to just 29 percent shooting in the second half, including 2-of 15 from three-point range.

UDM return's to action on Saturday, Nov. 10, as the Titans officially open the 2007-08 campaign against Kent State. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. inside Calihan Hall.

www.detroittitans.com/mbasketball.jsp?id=1194402488194

[Tipp City Raider]

Stingy Defense Keys Loyola's 72-54 Victory Over Robert Morris

Nov. 6, 2007

CHICAGO - Loyola University Chicago held Robert Morris to 27 percent shooting and outrebounded the Eagles, 49-30, en route to a 72-54 exhibition victory tonight at the Gentile Center. A 15-3 run early in the second half helped the Ramblers to take control of the contest.

Junior guard J.R. Blount, Loyola's lone returning starter from a year ago, scored four points as the Ramblers opened the game with an 8-2 run that would eventually grow to as many as 11 points (19-8) midway through the first half. Terry Dunlop scored seven points to key a 20-10 Robert Morris run that cut Loyola's lead to 29-28 with 2:34 left in the period. The Ramblers scored their final three points of the half from the foul line and took a slim 32-30 edge into the break.

The Ramblers led 40-35 just four minutes into the second half but then scored 13 of the game's next 16 points, the final four coming on a pair of baskets from Cortney Horton, to take a 53-38 lead with 8:43 remaining in the contest. That lead would grow to as many as 20 points in the final 90 seconds of the game.

Loyola's defense was stifling in the second half as it limited Robert Morris to 21 percent (5 for 24) shooting from the field. On the offensive end of the floor, the Ramblers heated up from the perimeter in the final stanza, connecting on 4 of 7 tries from beyond the arc after hitting only 1 of 7 shots from downtown in the opening period.

Blount scored a game-high 15 points and grabbed a half-dozen rebounds to lead Loyola's balanced attack. Ross Forman tallied 10 points and five rebounds and Tracy Robinson added 10 points, five assists and four boards. Andy Polka hauled in a game-high 14 rebounds and added six points and five assists, while Darrin Williams chipped in eight points, six boards and a pair of blocks off the bench.

Loyola raises the curtain on the 2007-08 regular season when it hosts LeMoyne on Nov. 10 at 7 p.m.

loyolaramblers.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/110607aaa.html

[Tipp City Raider]

Men's Basketball Beats Lewis In Exhibition Tilt

Nov. 6, 2007

Chicago, Ill.- Josh Mayo scored a game-high 21 points to pace the UIC men's basketball team to a 59-57 exhibition win over Lewis at the UIC Pavilion on Tuesday.

Scott VanderMeer finished with a double-double after scoring 12 points and pulling down 12 rebounds.

Sophomore Jeremy Buttell made his UIC debut with nine points and nine rebounds.

The Flames jumped out to an early lead, taking a 33-19 advantage into intermission. A late Lewis surge and some cool UIC shooting made the game closer, but the Flames came away with the win.

"We dug down and pulled it out," said UIC head coach Jimmy Collins, coaching in his first game since last December after missing the final 19 games of 2006-07 due to an abdominal aortic aneurysm. "Our players showed some tenacity at the end. We did some things that didn't please us, though, and Lewis is a very good team that will take advantage of those mistakes."

Rookies Robert Kreps and Tori Boyd also debuted for UIC on Tuesday night, providing some quality minutes.

UIC opens the 2007-08 regular season against Bradley this Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. at the UIC Pavilion.

uicflames.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/110707aaa.html