Loyola-Chicago Holds On To Beat Kent State, 69-61

KENT, Ohio (AP) -- Christian Thomas scored 16 points and Devon Turk added 15 as Loyola-Chicago jumped out to an 18-point first-half lead and held on to beat Kent State 69-61 on Saturday night.

The Ramblers (4-1) led by 10 points midway through the first half and were up 40-22 at the break. Kent State (4-2) outscored Loyola 13-2 to start the second half, closing to 42-35 with 15:25 left to play. Jimmy Hall hit a jumper with 5:45 left on the clock to get the Golden Flashes within four.

Jeff White scored eight-straight points for Loyola in the final three minutes, and Turk knocked down two free throws to close out the game.

White finished with 13 points and Montel James added 11 and eight rebounds.

Derek Jackson led the Golden Flashes with 12 points, and Chris Ortiz and Hall chipped in 10 points apiece.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press.