No. 20 Loyola cruises past SIU in MVC quarterfinals

ST. LOUIS - Freshman Jacob Hutson had 13 points and Lucas Williamson and Braden Norris each added 11 and No. 20 Loyola earned a 73-49 win over Southern Illinois Friday in the quarterfinals of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.

Loyola (22-4) opened the game on a 10-0 run before Anthony D'Avanzo scored the Salukis' first basket 5:23 into the game.

The Ramblers have won three straight games against Southern Illinois (12-14) after sweeping a two-game set in Chicago to close out the regular season.

The Salukis were playing without guard Lance Jones, who was injured in the first half of Thursday night's game against Bradley.

D'Vanzo led Southern Illinois with 18 points and freshman Dalton Banks, making his first career start in place of Jones, added 12 points.

Loyola led 35-22 at halftime and held a double-figure lead for the final 27:29 of the game.

• The Ramblers are the first MVC team to earn a Top 2 seed in the conference tournament for four straight seasons since Wichita State accomplished the feat during its last eight seasons in the conference from 2010-2017.

• Ramblers seniors Lucas Williamson and Cameron Krutwig continue to build on their mark as the winningest four-year players in school history with their 95th career wins.

• Loyola faces the winner of Evansville-Indiana State in Saturday's semifinals.