The Loyola (IL) Ramblers (7-23, 1-17) put for a valiant effort in the opening round of the 2012 Horizon League Tournament, but ultimately they fell to the Detroit Titans (19-13, 11-7) 80-71. The Ramblers found themselves down 11 at the half, and though they played markedly better in the second half, that early deficit was one that they would not be able to overcome.
The Ramblers were efficient and explosive on offense on Tuesday night, shooting 50% from the field and 43% from three, but the story of the game was their inability to keep the Titans off of the free throw line. Detroit shot 36 free throws on the night, making 30 of them, and the seven point differential between those makes and the free throws made by Loyola (which sunk 23) almost wholly accounts for the overall point differential between the two teams.
The Ramblers were led by forward Ben Averkamp who scored 20 points and hauled in eight rebounds to lead Loyola in both categories. Averkamp also added four assits on the night, which was second amongst all Ramblers. Forward Jordan Hicks was the team's second leading scorer on the night, adding 14 points, including 3-5 from three point range.
The Ramblers end the year having gone 2-14 since the calendar changed to 2012.