Off to Indianapolis: Butler whips YSU

LOYOLA SHOCKS WRIGHT ST.; DETROIT ROLLS

(3/02/04)

It wasn’t blackjack, but 21 was a magical number in the opening round of the Horizon League tournament Tuesday night.

Two freshmen and a sophomore played a significant role of shifting this weekend’s Horizon League action to Indianapolis’ historic Hinkle Fieldhouse.

Seven-foot rookie center Jamie Smalligan poured in 18 of his career-high 21 points in the first half and fellow frosh Nick Brooks added a career-high 21 points as host Butler whipped Youngstown State 88-57 in Tuesday’s Horizon tournament opening round.

If the Bulldogs had lost, the next two rounds would have been contested at the UIC Pavilion.

Sophomore guard Avery Sheets also poured in 21 points for the No. 6 seed Bulldogs.

Senior Mike Monserez also played a solid all-around game, scoring five points, grabbing five rebounds and handing out nine assists.

The Bulldogs (15-13) will play No. 3 seed Wisconsin-Green Bay in Friday’s late second-round contest. The Phoenix had a bye into the second round after finishing 11-5 in the league.

Smalligan was 7-of-10 from the field and 4-of-6 from three-point range in the first half as Butler opened a 45-26 halftime lead.

Adam Baumann led the No. 7 seed Penguins (8-20) with 21 points.

LOYOLA 76, WRIGHT STATE 59: DaJuan Gouard and Terrance Whiters tallied 19 points apiece as No. 8 seed Loyola shocked Wright State 76-59 at the Nutter Center in Dayton.

Louis Smith hit a three-pointer from the corner just over 2:00 left to put the Ramblers up 64-55 and the Raiders were never in striking distance again.

Paul McMillan (17 points, 11 rebounds) had a layup and six free throws in the final 2:34 of the game as Loyola closed with a 15-4 run and sealed a date with Detroit in Friday’s early second-round game in Indianapolis.

Gouard’s jumper with 15:49 left put the Ramblers (9-19) ahead for good at 38-37. His three-pointer with 3:31 left extend the Loyola lead to 60-49.

Whiters’ layup on the break put the Ramblers up 55-46 with 9:00 left. The teams then went scoreless for nearly four minutes.

WSU, which led by as many as 12 points in the first half, took a 30-27 advantage at halftime. Loyola’s comeback was spurred by 64 percent shooting in the second half.

Vernard Hollins led the No. 5 seeded Raiders (14-14) with 21 points.

DETROIT 62, CLEVELAND STATE 36: The host Titans weren’t about to let Cleveland State snap its long losing streak. No. 4 seed Detroit picked up its ninth consecutive victory and moved on to Friday’s second round match-up with Loyola, holding CSU to a tournament record-low-tying 36 points at Calihan Hall.

Senior Jimmy Twyman scored 13 points and Elijah Warren added 11 points and nine rebounds to lead the Titans (18-10), who scored the first eight points of the game and led 25-17 at half. Detroit finally pulled away with a 17-1 spurt over a five-minute period of the second half.

Jermaine Robinson scored 11 points for the Vikings (4-25), who lost their 23rd in a row. CSU played with just seven players. Walk-on Sanchez Starks actually led CSU with six points in the first half.

TUESDAY, MARCH 2 OPENING ROUND

#4 Detroit 62, #9 Cleveland State 36

#8 Loyola 76, #5 Wright State 59

#6 Butler 88, #7 Youngstown State 57

FRIDAY, MARCH 5 2ND ROUND (at Butler)

#4 Detroit vs. #8 Loyola, 4:30 p.m.

#6 Butler vs. #3 Wisconsin-Green Bay, 7 p.m.

SATURDAY, MARCH 6 SEMIFINALS (at Butler)

Detroit-Loyola winner vs. #1 Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 4:30 p.m.

Butler-UWGB winner vs. #2 UIC, 7 p.m.

TUESDAY, MARCH 9 CHAMPIONSHIP (at Butler or highest seed)

Semifinal winners, 8 p.m.