CHICAGO - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville shot just 26.7 percent from the floor in the second half Wednesday night, and fell to Loyola University 78-50 in men's basketball at the Gentile Center on the Loyola campus.

The Cougars, 1-9, managed just 8 of 30 shots from the field in the second half and were outscored 43-20 in the period.

"We came out soft in the second half," SIUE head coach Lennox Forrester said. "There was just no intensity at all."

SIUE hit four of its first seven shots from three-point range to stay within striking distance of the Ramblers, despite nine turnovers, in the first half. Loyola, 8-2, led 35-30 at halftime.

In a sign of things to come, the Ramblers opened the second half on a 12-0 run. A pair of free throws from Gabe Kindred extended the lead to 47-30 with 15:16 to play.

Meanwhile the Cougars were 0-6 from the floor until David Boarden hit a three-pointer with 15:03 left. That began a 10-4 SIUE run that cut into the Loyola lead. Following the Boarden three, Michael Messer reeled off seven straight points to finish off the Cougar run. The Cougars trailed 51-40 at that point.

Loyola ran away with the win thanks to a 20-5 run of its own over the next nine minutes, to lead 71-45 with 3:21 left.

Loyola held a rebounding edge of 51-29 for the game, while forcing 16 Cougar turnovers.

"I keep reminding them that they've got to come ready to roll," Forrester said.

Cornelius Chatt led SIUE with 12 points. Boarden finished with eight points. Messer and Anthony Mitchell each added seven points. LeShaun Murphy scored five and pulled down a team-high six rebounds.

Kindred led the Ramblers with 17 points. He was 4 of 5 from the floor, including a three-pointer. He also was 8 for 8 at the free throw line.

The Cougars return home for a Saturday game against Kennesaw State at the Vadalabene Center. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.