Final Score: Western Michigan 81, Loyola-Chicago 71

Tampa, FL (Sports Network) - Nate Hutcheson scored a career-high 30 points as the Western Michigan Broncos defeated the Loyola-Chicago Ramblers, 81-71, in the USF Invitational at the USF Sun Dome.

Hutcheson connected on 8-of-13 field goal attempts, including 6-of-8 from long range for the Broncos (2-1). Darius Paul added 14 points, Austin Richie tallied 12 points, and Brandon Pokley chipped in with 10 points.

For Loyola (2-1), Ben Averkamp scored 24 points and blocked four shots. Matt O'Leary shot 4-of-8 from three-point range en route to 14 points, and Jordan Hicks netted 13 points.

WMU led by seven late in the first half, but Loyola ended the frame on a 7-0 run to close its gap to just one, 38-37, before intermission.

The Broncos shot a lofty 59.1 percent from the field in the second half to pull away.

WMU outrebounded Loyola, 33 to 23.