If there was any relief for Loyola in its 62-34 loss to St. Ignatius on Friday night, it was the knowledge that the Ramblers won’t have to play at Gentile Gymnasium for another two years.
Loyola struggled offensively, not scoring a point until Eb Noonoo converted the second of two free-throw attempts with 2:17 remaining in the first quarter. At that point St. Ignatius (11-3, 4-0 in the Catholic League North) held a 6-1 advantage.
The Wolfpack extended its lead to 21-3 in the second quarter. Guard Max Kaplan (15 points) had five steals in the first half and six overall.
“I think we caught them on an off night,” said St. Ignatius coach Rich Kehoe. “We play them on the road next year, and I think they’ll remember this one.”
Alex Brzozowicz, who led the Wolfpack with 21 points, sent the capacity crowd of 1,500 into a frenzy when he finished a fast break with a dunk to put St. Ignatius ahead 31-13 in the third quarter.
Kehoe said it was the largest crowd St. Ignatius has had since last season’s upset of Crane in the sectionals.
Noonoo led Loyola (7-6, 3-1) with nine points.
