Ill.-Chicago 62, Loyola of Chicago 58

Published Feb. 28, 2009 4:31 a.m. ET

foxsports

Rob Eppinger had a career-high 16 points and Illinois-Chicago held off a closing rally by Loyola of Chicago for a 62-58 win Friday. Illinois-Chicago (15-14, 7-11 Horizon League) was up 31-20 at halftime after Loyola (14-17, 6-12) shot 19 percent. The Flames were up 56-43 with just over five minutes left, but Loyola closed the gap to 60-58 on a Marcus Thomas 3-pointer with 42.9 seconds left. The Ramblers turned the ball over in the final 10 seconds and Josh Mayo sank two clinching free-thows with 1.2 seconds left. The Flames shot almost 50 percent for the game and dominated the boards, 40-29. Scott Vandermeer had 17 rebounds. Mayo had 13 points, Vandermeer had 12 and Robo Kreps added 10. J.R. Blount led Loyola with 16 points, with Justin Cerasoli adding 13 points and Darrin Williams 12.