March 28, 2008

FAIRFAX, Va. - Junior Nick Lamoureux pounded out a match-high 23 kills, but it wasn't enough as Loyola University Chicago (13-11) dropped a 21-30, 30-27, 30-24, 27-30, 15-10 decision at No. 11 George Mason (15-6) tonight in a non-conference contest. An efficient Loyola offense hit .298 for the match, but the Patriots out-blocked the visiting Ramblers, 15.5 to 4.5.

Leading 11-7 in game one, Mike Morice served four straight points as Loyola opened up a comfortable 15-7 advantage and never looked back en route to a 30-21 victory that was punctuated by a Kris Berzins kill. The red-hot Rambler offense hit a robust .455 (20-5-33) in the opening set.

Game two was a nip-and-tuck affair that featured 22 ties and six lead changes as neither team led by more than two points until the final point of the game. A Kyle Gramit service error late in game two brought the Ramblers within a point (28-27), but the Patriots notched back-to-back scores to draw even at one game apiece.

After falling behind 20-18 in the third game, Ian Anderson slammed home a kill to bring Loyola within a point then served as it rattled off three more points to seize a 24-22 edge. However, George Mason regained its composure and rolled off eight unanswered points, the last two coming on service aces from Mark Burik, to earn a 30-24 victory.

Despite the tough loss in game three and with their backs to the wall, the Ramblers showed their resiliency by claiming a 30-27 victory. Loyola trailed 19-15 but rallied to take a 23-22 lead. After George Mason rallied to tie the game at 25-25, the Ramblers reclaimed the lead on a Berzins kill and held on for the win, with game point coming on a kill from Morice.

George Mason strung together four straight points, two of which came on kills from Hudson Bates, to break a 4-4 tie in the fifth and deciding game and it never looked back en route to a 15-10 victory.

In addition to Lamoureux's 23 kills, Loyola also benefited from 15 kills and 10 digs from Berzins and 13 kills apiece from Anderson and Morice. George Mason was led by Gramit, who posted 21 kills, 18 digs and 5 block assists.

Loyola closes out its weekend road trip tomorrow night at Rutgers-Newark.