SIU men’s basketball fell to the Loyola Ramblers for the first time since Loyola joined the Missouri Valley Conference in 2012.

The Salukis (10-16, 3-10) lost to the Ramblers (15-10, 5-8), 66-62 on Wednesday at Joseph J. Gentile Arena in Chicago. The Salukis are still without a conference road win this season. 

SIU led 34-33 at halftime. Neither team had more than a six-point lead in the half.

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Rambler junior guard Earl Peterson hit a 3-pointer with 43 seconds remaining in the first half to give the Ramblers a two-point lead.

Saluki freshman guard Deion Lavender responded with a NBA-range 3-pointer to cap the half. Lavender finished the first period with 14 points, shooting 4-of-5 from three-point range.

The second half was even closer, as neither team had a lead worth more than four points. The Salukis had their last lead at 56-55 with 6:43 remaining.

Sophomore forward Sean O’Brien fouled out with 3:44 remaining. The Salukis scored three points for the rest of the game.  

Rambler junior Montel James led the field with 19 points. He also led his team with 8 rebounds.

Lavender led the team in scoring with 17 points. He finished 6-of-13 shooting and 5-of-7 from three-point range.

Junior guard Anthony Beane followed with 16 points.

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Freshman forward Jordan Caroline recorded his second career double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

With the loss, the Salukis split the season series with the Ramblers. The Dawgs are tied for last place in the MVC with Bradley and Missouri State. 

The Salukis play the Evansville Purple Aces (17-8, 7-6) at 3:05 p.m. Saturday at SIU Arena.

Aaron Graff can be reached at Agraff@dailyegyptian, on Twitter @Aarongraff_DE or 536-3311 ext. 256.