Recap: DePaul vs. Loyola-Chicago

Rosemont, IL (Sports Network) - Cully Payne shot 7-of-10 from the floor en route to a game-high 24 points, as the Loyola-Chicago Ramblers dismissed the DePaul Blue Demons, 69-61, in non-league play at Allstate Arena.

Christian Thomas recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds to help Loyola (9-3) snap an 11-game slide in the head-to-head series, which stretched nearly a quarter-century. Devon Turk chipped in with 10 points off the bench for the Ramblers, who have won seven of their last eight games and have already eclipsed last season's win total.

The Blue Demons (9-4) saw their winning streak halted at seven games, despite 18 points from Brandon Young and 10 more off the bench from Worrel Clahar. Cleveland Melvins streak of double-digit scoring games ended at 26, as he finished with seven points and eight rebounds. His streak was the third- longest in the nation entering the weekend.

DePaul had the hot hand early on, as the Blue Demons shot 53.8 percent from the floor in the first half and led by as many as nine midway through the frame. However, the Ramblers weathered the early storm and went into the locker room with the score tied at halftime, 33-33.

Loyola did not take its first lead until a little more than three minutes into the second stanza. The Ramblers held DePaul to 34.5-percent shooting over the final 20 minutes, and they led by as many as 12 on Jordan Hicks' 3-pointer with 6:20 to play. The Blue Demons could not draw any closer than six points the rest of the way.

The Ramblers connected on 7-of-17 threes for the game (.412), compared to a 2- of-10 effort (.200) from beyond the arc for the Blue Demons.