Morning Box Score: Predators Hunt Down Hawks, Bulls Battle Injuries to Top Bobcats
By Tim Bearden in News on Jan 22, 2012 4:00PM
Chicago's three-game winning streak came to an end as the Predators beat them in Nashville on Saturday night. Marian Hossa scored the Blackhawks' only two goals in the game. Jonathan Toews left the game in the second period with an upper body injury and didn't return to the game. The Hawks didn't arrive in Nashville until about 2:30 a.m. due to inclement weather both in Chicago and Nashville. With the victory over the Hawks, the Predators have won seven of their last eight games.
The Bulls may be contending with injuries, but you wouldn't be able to tell by watching them play. Derrick Rose was out again last night, as were Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson. Rip Hamilton is fitting into the offensive scheme well and had a season high 20 points against the Bobcats. Carlos Boozer led the team with 23 points and Luol Deng followed closely with 22. The Bulls are now 7-0 at the United Center for the first time since the '96-'97 season.
Butler 63, Loyola of Chicago 57
It was another tough game for Loyola of Chicago as the Bulldogs handed them their seventh straight loss. The Ramblers shot 36.5 percent from the field and only trailed by two at the half, but the Bulldogs went on a 7-1 run to secure and maintain the lead. Walt Gibler and Joe Crisman each scored a team-high 14 points for the Ramblers.
Ball State 75, Northern Illinois 65
The Huskies struggled against Ball State, who shot 54 percent from the field and had four players with double-digit points. Northern has now lost two straight games following their second win of the season. Ball State has improved to 9-0 when scoring 70 points or more in a game.