March 2, 2008

Box Score

GREEN BAY, Wis. - Ross Forman notched his first career double-double with career highs of 28 points and 15 rebounds and J.R. Blount tallied 25 points, eight boards and six assists, but it wasn't enough as Loyola University Chicago (11-18, 6-12 Horizon) suffered a hard-fought 71-66 loss at Green Bay (15-14, 9-9 Horizon) in overtime tonight at the Resch Center. With the loss, the Ramblers secure the No. 8 seed for the Horizon League Championship, which begins next week.

"This was a typical Horizon League game - close to the finish," Loyola head coach Jim Whitesell said. "I'm proud of the way we played. Our guys played with a lot of heart in a game that was like a 15-round fight. Ross (Forman) has practiced really well lately and gives us some good size in our lineup. I'm very happy with the way he played tonight."

Randy Berry hit a pair of free throws to put Green Bay ahead, 27-21 with just over four minutes left in the first half before Forman scored seven consecutive points to put Loyola on top, 28-27. Mike Schachtner's jumper with 34 seconds left put the Phoenix back on top, 29-28, a lead it took into the half. Forman and Blount combined for 21 of the Ramblers' first-half points.

The second-half was a seesaw affair. Green Bay led by as many as seven points early in the period, but the Ramblers were able to slowly chip away at the deficit. Forman's lay-up with 3:14 remaining gave Loyola a 54-53 lead, its first in over 12 minutes. After a free throw by Aric Van Weelden, Blount hit a lay-up to put the guests on top, 57-53 with 1:41 left. Ryan Tillema's jumper sliced the lead in half and Schachtner's shot from the baseline with seven seconds left tied the game and forced overtime.

The teams exchanged baskets to start the overtime before Schachtner scored five straight points to give the Phoenix a lead it would never relinquish as Loyola got no closer than two points the rest of the way. The Ramblers converted only 3 of 12 shots from the field in the extra session.

Forman's effort marked the highest point total by a Rambler this season and the most rebounds by a Loyola player since 2004. Blount's 25 points was a season high. Schachtner scored 27 points to lead Green Bay.

Loyola will be the No. 8 seed and will travel to No. 5 seed Milwaukee on Tuesday, March 4 for an opening-round game at the Horizon League Championship. Tickets for Loyola students are free with a valid ID. Game time is set for 7 p.m. The winner will face the winner of the UIC vs. Youngstown State games.