CHICAGO (AP) — Will Bogan scored 16 points, grabbed four rebounds and Valparaiso nearly coughed up a big first-half lead to eventually put away Loyola of Chicago 85-76 on Tuesday night.

Valparaiso (21-7, 11-3 Horizon) led by as many as 17 points in the first half and was up 42-27 at halftime before the Ramblers fought their way back into the game, using a 19-4 run to begin the second half capped by Christian Thomas’ lay-in, making it 46-all with 11:21 to go.

Thomas ended the night with 15 points, eight rebounds and four assists.

After Thomas’ layup, the Crusaders responded, going on a 23-11 run capped by a Bogan jumper to make it 69-57 with 5:23 to play and Valparaiso never looked back. Ryan Broekhoff and Matt Kenney each had 14 points for the Crusaders.

Jordan Hicks had 13 points and grabbed eight rebounds while Devon Turk and Jeff White each had 12 for Loyola (14-13, 4-10).

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