Men lose in overtime to Loyola, 92-85

Staff/WIRE Report

CHICAGO — Youngstown State led by as many as 10 points late in the first half, but couldn’t hold the advantage and faltered in overtime, losing a Horizon League game at Loyola, 92-85, on Thursday night.

Kelvin Bright had 22 points to lead six double-figure scorers for the Penguins (8-14, 2-10 Horizon), who have lost two games in a row and six of their last seven.

Bright also had six rebounds and two assists for Youngstown State, which led 49-39 late in the first half and 53-45 at the intermission.

The 53 first-half points represented a season high for the Penguins.

Martin Sirlester and Vytas Sulskis had 12 points each, DeAndre Mays 11 and Vance Cooksey and Ashen Ward 10 apiece.

Geoff McCammon scored 25 points, leading five Loyola players in double figures.

“I thought we played great,” said Youngstown State coach Jerry Slocum. “It was one of our best efforts.

“I feel bad for the kids because they worked so hard.”

Courtney Stanley scored 18 points for Loyola (13-9, 4-8 Horizon). Marcus Thomas had 17 points, Ben Averkamp had 12 and Walt Gibler 10, while Andy Polka had 10 rebounds to go with his eight points.

Stanley and Thomas hit long 3-pointers to rally Loyola late in regulation.

“They knock in two shots from about 23, 24 feet,” said Slocum. “Our kids just can’t get a break.”

Ramblers starting forward Terrence Hill was ejected in the first four minutes of the game following an altercation with Youngstown State’s DeAndre Mays. Mays was also assessed a technical foul and sat the remainder of the first half.

“We have a rule that you sit with two fouls in the first half,” said Slocum, “and that technical was [Mays’] second foul.”

Mays scored 30 points against Loyola in a win at the Beeghly Center last month.

“It’s hard to take [the loss] because the kids fought hard,” said Slocum. “They deserved to win.”

The game was tied 78-all at the end of regulation and 80-80 early in the overtime before Loyola’s Geoff McCammon hit a 3-pointer to give the Ramblers the lead for good.

After a layup by Bright, Loyola scored the next six points, the last two on free throws by Averkamp, to make it 89-82 with 1:32 remaining.

Martin made a 3-pointer with 32 seconds remaining but the Penguins missed eight of their last nine shots.