ST. LOUIS – Freshman Jacob Hutson had 13 points, and Lucas Williamson and Braden Norris added 11 and 20, respectively. Loyola beat Southern Illinois in the quarterfinals of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament 73-49 on Friday.

Loyola (22-4) opened the game with a 10-0 run before Anthony D’Avanzo scored the Salukis’ first basket 5-23.

The Ramblers have won three straight games against Southern Illinois (12-14) after playing two games in Chicago to end the regular season.

The Salukis played without guard Lance Jones, who was injured against Bradley in the first half of Thursday night’s game.

D’Vanzo led southern Illinois with 18 points and freshman Dalton Banks, who was making his first career start in place of Jones, added 12 points.

Loyola led at halftime with 35:22 and led the final with 27:29 in double digits.

BIG PICTURE

Southern Illinois: The Salukis are in their last 16 games 0:16 against high-ranking opponents, extending the longest such defeat in school history. Her last win against a senior opponent was a 64-62 home win against then No. 23 Wichita State on February 5, 2013.

Loyola: The Ramblers are the first Missouri Valley Conference team to achieve a top-two spot in the conference tournament for four consecutive seasons since Wichita State performed the feat in the last eight seasons of the conference from 2010 to 2017.

DYNAMIC DUO

The Ramblers seniors, Williamson and Cameron Krutwig, continue to build on their brand as the most successful four-year-old players in school history with their 95th career wins.

STAY IN SALUKIS ‘LINEUP

After Jones’ injury, second security guard Trent Brown was the only Salukis player to start all 26 games that season.

NEXT

Loyola: Compete in the semi-finals against the Evansville winner against Indiana State on Saturday lunchtime on the CBS Sports Network.