Recap: Loyola-Chicago vs. Tenn Tech

Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Cully Payne scored 18 points to lead the Loyola Chicago Ramblers to a 81-78 victory over the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles in non-conference play at Gentile Arena.

For the Ramblers (5-2), Ben Averkamp added 16 points and Jordan Hicks finished with 15.

Matt Marseille led the Golden Eagles (3-2) with 21 points, while Jeremiah Samarrippas finished with 15 points, Jud Dillard added 14 and Lanerryl Johnson chipped in with 12 points off the bench.

Tennessee Tech connected on 52 percent of its field goal attempts in the first half, including 4-of-10 from beyond the three-point arc. Loyola shot 48 percent, converting 5-of-13 three-point attempts in order to take a 38-34 advantage into the break.

The Ramblers continued to make their shots in the second half, shooting 50 percent from the floor, while also outscoring the Golden Eagles at the free- throw line, 16-8.

Leading by eight with under a minute to play, the Ramblers saw their advantage dwindle to just one, but after a couple of made free throws by Joe Crisman put them back up three with seven seconds to play, the hosts held on for the victory

Loyola, which forced 20 turnovers, held a 25-12 scoring advantage at the free- throw line.