CHICAGO -- D.J. Balentine's one-hander in the paint with 18 seconds remaining lifted Evansville to a 74-73 victory over Loyola of Chicago on Sunday, as the Purple Aces reached 20 regular-season victories for the first time since 1999.
After trailing by 19 in the second half, Montel James scored with 31 seconds left to cap a 14-2 run and give the Ramblers their first lead, 73-72, since they scored the game's first basket.
After Balentine's bucket, the Ramblers (12-14, 5-9 Missouri Valley) turned the ball over on a five-second call despite having two timeouts remaining, but immediately got the ball back with six seconds left via the possession arrow after a scramble on the Aces' inbounds.