National Basketball Association
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Loyola-Chicago 59, Mississippi St. 51
When: 8:00 PM ET, Saturday, December 15, 2012
Where: Joseph J. Gentile Center, Chicago, Illinois
Officials: # James Barker, # Mike Roberts, # John Yorkovich
Attendance: 3321

Loyola (Ill.) 59, Mississippi State 51: Freshman Devon Turk scored a season-high 21 points and Christian Thomas added a career-high 16 as the host Ramblers defeated the Bulldogs in their first meeting in nearly 50 years.

Loyola and Mississippi State last met in the 1963 NCAA Tournament when the all-white Bulldogs avoided an injunction by sneaking out of Mississippi to play the Ramblers, who had four African-American starters. Players from both teams were honored at halftime.

Ben Averkamp and Jordan Hicks had nine rebounds apiece for Loyola (7-3), which led 34-20 at halftime and by as many as 18 in the second half before Mississippi State scored 13 of the game's final 16 points.

Fred Thomas scored 14 points and Roquez Johnson added 13 for the Bulldogs (3-6), who are 0-3 in true road games this season. The Bulldogs were 5-for-17 from 3-point range.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The Ramblers won the 1963 meeting 61-51 in East Lansing, Mich., en route to winning the national championship. ... Averkamp, Loyola's leading scorer (17.3) coming into the game, was held to five points on 1-of-9 shooting. ... Loyola improved to 5-0 at home and has won 20 of its last 22 games at Gentile Arena.
Top Game Performances
 
Mississippi St.   Loyola-Chicago
Fred Thomas 14 Scoring Devon Turk 21
Craig Sword 2 Assists Cully Payne 3
Colin Borchert 5 Rebounds Ben Averkamp 9
Roquez Johnson 7 Free Throws Made Christian Thomas 4
Colin Borchert 2 Steals Matt O'Leary 2
Gavin Ware 5 Blocks Devon Turk 3
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Mississippi St. 51 37.5 5-17 10-16 7 27 8 6 15
Loyola-Chicago 59 41.2 8-18 9-14 13 33 4 7 16