Loyola Can't Hold Lead in Loss to St. Ignatius

Loyola Academy hadn't faced an inside presence like St. Ignatius' Nnanna Egwu in their three games this season. Prior to Saturday, they had held their own on the glass and in the paint against solid teams like New Trier and Harlan.

Against St. Ignatius, it was a different story. Rebounding and points in the paint were the deciding factor in Loyola's 61-48 loss to the rival Wolfpack.

"Physically we got abused on the offensive glass," Loyola Academy Coach Tom Livatino said. "I think that was a big deal and we looked tired a little bit."

The presence of Egwu forced Livatino to alter his game plan on the offensive end. Center Jared Prince, who normally plays in the low post, shot more jumpers. In the first half he knocked down four shots from outside, including a three-pointer. Prince finished with 15 points in the first half and his jumper at the buzzer gave the Ramblers a one-point lead.

The second half was a different story. While Egwu, a University of Illinois recruit, did not completely dominate in the scoring column—he posted 18 points—he was a force on the boards and created open shots for his teammates. Guards Brian Howard and Jack Crepeau combined to score 23 points, including six three-pointers.

"When you have a great inside presence like that, you're going to have to give up something and we gave up some open shots," Livatino said. "We didn't do a great job of closing out on them, but to their credit they really knocked down shots."

Loyola was inconsistent on the offensive end, showing moments of good play, but having trouble overall handling the ball.

"If we didn't cause turnovers, we caused a lot of pressure," St. Ignatius Coach Rich Kehoe said. "We made them start their offense higher than they would."

Still the theme of the second half was Loyola's inability to rebound the basketball. St. Ignatius opened the third quarter on a 16-5 run until Loyola guard David McCoy hit a three with a little more than two minutes left.

Loyola wouldn't get closer than seven points the rest of the way and St. Ignatius closed the game out by making three of four free throws in the final minute.

"We didn't play as tough as we should have and it's some sort of on me," Prince said. "We got dominated in terms of physicality. We really need to be a lot more physical tough and mentally tough."

Loyola opens Catholic League play on the road against Gordon Tech on Friday and then hosts rival Notre Dame Saturday night.

"Overall I think it's been a really good tournament for us and I feel really good about our team," Livatino said. "We've played three really good teams and that's what gets you better."