NCAA Game Summary - Loyola-Chicago at Missouri State

Springfield, MO (SportsNetwork.com) - Christian Kirk scored 16 points in just 20 minutes off the bench as the Missouri State Bears captured a convincing 72-56 win over the Ramblers of Loyola-Chicago in a Missouri Valley Conference battle at JQH Arena.

Also scoring in double figures for the Bears (19-10, 9-8 MVC), as they posted their second straight win, were Keith Pickens with 14 points and Jarmar Gulley 10, the latter also accounting for 10 rebounds and five assists in the meeting.

The Ramblers (9-20, 4-13) were paced by Tony Nixon who used 5-of-9 shooting behind the 3-point line to come away with 15 points in 21 minutes off the bench. Joe Crisman pitched in 14 points and six rebounds before fouling out.

Both teams shot the ball well from the field in the first half, with Loyola converting 52.2 percent and the Bears 57.1 percent, but the bigger difference in the period had the hosts hitting on 5-of-6 at the free-throw line while the Ramblers failed to make a single trip to the charity stripe. The Bears claimed a 41-27 advantage at the break as a result.

In the second half both programs made good on 42.9 percent from the floor and matched each other at the free-throw line, 5-5, but Missouri State still had a lead too big to squander at home.

Loyola, which shot only 5-of-14 at the free-throw line, was outscored in the paint, 44-20.

Missouri State is now set to close out the regular season on Saturday at second-ranked Wichita State, while the Ramblers host Evansville.