Wisconsin-Milwaukee beats Loyola 77-68

Posted March 03, 2009 10:00 pm

Associated Press

MILWAUKEE -- James Eayrs scored 20 points and Ricky Franklin added 18 Tuesday night as Wisconsin-Milwaukee defeated Loyola of Chicago 77-68 in the first round of the Horizon League tournament.

Milwaukee (17-13, 12-7) plays Wright State Friday in a second-round game in Indianapolis.

Milwaukee's victory was revenge against the team that defeated it in first-round games the last two seasons.

The Ramblers (14-18, 6-13) were led by J.R. Blount, who scored all but two of his 20 points in the second half, and Jordan Hicks who also had 20. Walt Gibler added 14.

Milwaukee led 35-17 at halftime and made it 44-19 early in the second half on a Deonte Roberts basket. The Ramblers battled back to within seven points four times late in the game but could get no closer.

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