When Loyola coach Jim Whitesell kicked the scorer’s table out of frustration about 3 1/2 minutes into Monday night’s 69-55 victory over San Diego at the Gentile Center, he also kick-started the Ramblers’ offense.
The Ramblers started flat, trailing 10-3. But around the time Whitesell made like Robbie Gould, they went on a 25-4 run and never fell behind again.
It was a body-slamming type of encounter, with 43 fouls, 26 by San Diego. But it was also a buttered-popcorn-fingers type of game. The 46 turnovers, 24 by San Diego, sometimes overshadowed Loyola’s sound defense.
“We missed a ton of open shots and we complicated that with our turnovers,” San Diego coach Brad Holland said.
Once the Ramblers (4-1) passed the Toreros (2-2), they inched the lead up to 14 points. With just less than 9 1/2 minutes to play, however, San Diego closed to 49-46. Loyola senior guard Blake Schilb (18 points) retaliated with the most important basket of the night. Driving from the right side, he threw in a leaner off the glass, got fouled and made the free throw.
“It was a big basket for them,” Holland said. “That’s what good players do. They seize the moment.”
Schilb’s basket started a 9-0 Loyola run that clinched the contest. Free throws in general were a major weapon for the Ramblers. They hit 29 of 39.
It was a satisfying win for the Ramblers after falling 90-57 at San Diego last season. A few days ago, little signs appeared in the Loyola players’ lockers reminding them of that score.
“They appeared mysteriously,” Schilb said, implying Whitesell, who did not take credit, was responsible.
In a game that featured considerable contact, Loyola’s Leon Young, a 6-foot-6-inch, 235- pound sophomore power forward, emerged as the man in the middle of the action with 17 points and 11 rebounds.
“It was a battle,” said Young, who said he had some scratches and bruises as “war scars” from the game. “You’re gonna get a lot of fouls. We kind of all had a chip on our shoulders from last year.”
The Toreros were led by guards Brandon Johnson (16 points) and Ross DeRogatis (14), but shot just 37.5 percent. Loyola overcame early foul trouble on Schilb and guard J.R. Blount.
“It’s early in the year,” said Whitesell, who admitted concern about the turnovers. “You’re not going to play everything perfect.”
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lfreedman@tribune.com
