By Jack McCarthy
Cleveland State recovered from a nearly 9-minute second half cold spell to overtake Loyola down the stretch and claim a 59-56 Horizon League decision at the Gentile Center.
The Vikings managed one field goal from the 17:30 mark until guard Jeremy Montgomery scored on a driving layup and added a free throw with 8:45 to play.
Still behind 49-43 at that point, Cleveland State's Norris Cole added a layup and followed with a three-pointer on back-to-back possessions to cut the deficit to 49-48. The Vikings went ahead for good at 53-51 on two Jared Cunningham free throws.
The Ramblers (13-10, 4-9) trailed 57-56 with 11.3 seconds to play, but the Vikings' D'Aundry Brown paded the lead with a pair of free throws while a desperation 3-pointer by Loyola's Geoff McCammon was off the mark.
Cunningham led a balanced attack with a game-high 15 points while Trevon Harmon added 14 for Cleveland State (12-12, 8-4). Ben Averkamp and Terrance Hill paced Loyola with 12 points apiece, Walt Gibler had 11 and Courtney Stanley added 10.
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