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CHICAGO – The Eastern Kentucky University men’s basketball team fell to Loyola Chicago, 73-57, in its season opener at the Nick Kladis Classic on Friday night. Senior Spencer Perrin and junior Joshua Jones paced the Colonels with 14 points apiece.

The Colonels (0-1) played the host Ramblers (1-0) tough through the first half, taking their only lead of the game on a three-pointer from the top of the key by freshman Jeff Johnson that made it 6-5 with 16:34 on the clock. A layup by Walt Gibler gave Loyola Chicago an eight point lead, 30-22, late in the second half, but a jumper in the lane by sophomore Willie Cruz with nine seconds on the clock cut the Rambler lead to six at halftime.

Loyola Chicago surged to an 11 point lead early in the second half, but EKU pulled back to within six numerous times throughout the half, the latest with 12:34 remaining in the game when Cruz hit a layup to make it 47-41. However, Ben Averkamp connected on a three-pointer less than a minute later and then hit a jumper in the lane on the Ramblers’ next possession to give Loyola Chicago a double digit lead it would hold on to.

Cruz finished the game with 10 points. He and Perrin led the Colonels with five rebounds apiece.

Terrance Hill came off the bench to shoot 5-of-6 from three-point range and lead the Ramblers with 21 points. Gibler contributed with 17 points and nine rebounds.

EKU returns to action at the Gentile Center on Saturday, Nov. 13, when the Colonels play Texas-Pan American at 6:00 p.m. in their second game of the Nick Kladis Classic.