Jan 3, 2002

Final Stats

CHICAGO (AP) - David Bailey had 25 points as Loyola of Chicago used an early run of 14 unanswered points to build a big lead and coast to an 87-63 victory over Cleveland State in the opener for both teams in the newly christened Horizon League.

When Bailey sank a short jump shot for his final points with 10:10 left, he reached the 1,000-point career mark.

Cleveland State (6-6, 0-1) led early, but the Ramblers had 14 straight points to take a 21-12 lead with 12 minutes left in the first half.

They built the margin to 41-26 at halftime, then outscored the Vikings 8-2 over the first four minutes after intermission and kept a comfortable lead after that.

Ryan Blankson had 16 points for Loyola (6-5, 1-0) and grabbed 21 rebounds, including 10 on the offensive boards. Vas Tsimpliavidis was also in double figures with 12.

Percell Coles led Cleveland State with a career-high 22 points, 20 of them in the second half.

Jamaal Harris added 14 for the Vikings, but the tight Loyola defense held Cleveland State's other top scorer, Theo Dixon, to seven points, all in the first half. The Ramblers forced 24 Viking turnovers.