Forward Montel James scored 19 points and forward Christian Thomas and guard Milton Doyle had 13 each to lead Loyola (Ill.) to a 71-58 victory over Rockhurst in a season opener for both teams on Friday night in Chicago.
The Ramblers (1-0) trailed 30-29 at halftime in Gentile Arena but opened the second half with 13 straight points on the way to leads that reached as much as 18 points.
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Center/forward Dominique Washington topped Rockford (0-1) with 10 points.
The most encouraging news for Loyola was the presence and production from Milton Doyle, who averaged a team-high 14.9 points last season but suffered a labrum injury in his right (shooting) shoulder before practice began and underwent extensive rehab.
Loyola hosts McKendree on Monday and Rockhurst travels to Calvary Bible in Kansas City, Mo., on the same day.