CHICAGO -- Clayton Custer scored 20, Cameron Krutwig added 18 and Loyola Chicago turned back Valparaiso 80-71 on Wednesday night for its fourth straight win.
Donte Ingram added 16 points for the Ramblers (22-5, 12-3 Missouri Valley Conference), including four free throws in the final minute. They have a two-game lead with three to play to win their first title since 1987 when they were in the Horizon League.
Tevonn Walked had 18 points for the Crusaders (13-15, 4-11), who missed three straight shots after Walker's 3-point play with 1:28 left made it 74-69.