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Loyola-Chicago 83, Abilene Christian 44
Alan is an expert gambling writer who works as one of the chief editors for Basketball Insiders. He has been covering online gambling and sports betting for over 8 years, having written for the likes of Sportlens, Compare.bet, The Sports Daily, 90min, and TopRatedCasinos.co.uk. His particular specialisms include US online casinos and gambling regulations, and soccer and basketball betting. Based in London, Alan holds an MA in English Literature and is a passionate supporter of Chelsea FC.
All posts by Alan DraperUpdated9 hours ago on April 24, 2024
Forward Montel James and guard Devon Turk each scored 13 points, and Loyola-Chicago blew past Abilene Christian in the second half for a 83-44 victory Wednesday in a Continental Tires Las Vegas Classic game at Gentile Arena in Chicago.
Guard Earl Peterson added 11 points as Loyola (7-2) won its third straight and fifth in six games.
Forward Austin Cooke had 14 points for Abilene Christian (4-5), while guard Harrison Hawkins added 11.
The Wildcats led 19-16 nearly midway through the opening half, but the Ramblers launched an 11-0 run that included a pair of 3-pointers from guard Milton Doyle to claim a 27-19 advantage.
Abilene Christian closed within 30-27 but managed just two free throws the rest of the half as Loyola rolled to a 38-29 lead at the break.
The Ramblers pushed the lead past 20 points at 59-37 on a Peterson jumper with 10:21 left, and the margin topped 30 when guard Donte Ingram’s layup made it 70-49 with 5:18 to play.
With less than two minutes left, forward Cal Kennedy’s layup briefly pushed the margin to 40.
Wednesday’s game — the first ever between the teams — was also the start of four in seven days for the Ramblers.
Loyola hosts Southern Utah on Friday as part of the event before heading to Las Vegas to play Texas Tech and then either Boise State or Houston.
Abilene Christian travels to Boise State on Saturday for its next tournament game.
