Jermaine Hamlin and Tiger Booker both scored in double figures but Eastern Illinois men's basketball struggled to find consistent offense on Saturday night falling 89-65 at Loyola-Chicago.
Hamlin scored 11 while Booker had 12.
EIU was within one possession in the opening minutes as the Panthers trailed 11-8 following a
Kooper Jacobi jumper with 16:20 to play in the first.
The Ramblers answered with an 11-2 run hitting three 3-pointers in the run as they shot 59 percent from the field for the game knocking down 12 3-pointers.
Loyola jumped out to a double figure lead with 13:37 to play in the first on a 3-pointer by Greg Dolan.
The Ramblers led 48-25 at the half.
The Panthers did win the battle on the glass finishing with a 37-33 edge including 17 offensive rebounds. Jacobi had seven rebounds while Hamlin pulled down six.
Dolan scored 12 points, one of three Ramblers in double figures. Des Watson led all players with 24 points, going 6-of-8 on 3-pointers.
EIU falls to 1-2 on the season while Loyola improved to 1-1.