SOMERS, Wis. – Senior Jordan Loyd erupted for a career-high 36 points Saturday, helping the Greyhounds win a crucial road game at No. 14 Wisconsin-Parkside, 85-74.

Loyd hit a remarkable 15 of 18 shots, and scored 29 of his 36 in the second period as UIndy (19-6, 13-4 GLVC) earned a pivotal victory for Great Lakes Valley Conference and NCAA Tournament purposes. With the win, the Hounds are guaranteed a first round bye in the conference tournament.

Parkside (20-4, 14-3) entered the week as the top seed in the inaugural NCAA Midwest Region rankings, and also sported a 32-game home winning streak in conference play. But nothing the Rangers did Saturday kept Loyd from scoring.

"It wasn't just me, this was an awesome team win," Loyd told WICR afterward. "We really needed this one, and it was great that we all came together and showed the will to win."

The first half was closely contested, as neither side was able to create much distance on the scoreboard. Both squads also shot above 51 percent, but the Rangers used a late 8-0 run to head into the half leading 38-35.

Seniors Lucas Barker and Tyler Rambo each had eight to lead the Hounds, and Loyd had just seven points on a 2-for-3 field goal shooting effort.

The second half was a different story for the Atlanta native, as he hit 13 of 15 – including three 3-pointers – often while heavily guarded.

"I felt like Thursday (against Lewis) I took myself out and wasn't as aggressive as I should have been," Loyd noted. "Today my teammates did a great job of getting me into position to score. I'm just grateful for a great team and great coaching staff."

With the game tied 51-51 at the 14-minute mark, UIndy went on an 18-5 run to take its biggest lead of the game, 67-56. Loyd and sophomore Eric Davidson scored 15 of the 18 during that stretch.

The Hounds wouldn't relinquish the lead, and kept it at least a two-possession game until the final buzzer. Over the last 11 minutes of the game UIndy outscored the Rangers 26 to 18, 14 of which came from Loyd.

UIndy finished nearly 58 percent from the field overall, hitting 7 of 15 threes and 12 of 13 foul shots. The Hounds also outrebounded their hosts, 30-23.

Defensively, the Greyhounds managed six blocks and six steals, and held reigning GLVC Player of the Week Andy Mazurczak to just eight points on a 2-for-8 shooting effort.

Barker and Rambo each finished with 12 points, and senior Joe Retic went for nine and six rebounds. Freshman Jesse Kempson drained a pair of 3-pointers to total six points, and added a career-high three blocks.

Next on UIndy's schedule is Saint Joseph's, which visits Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 7:45 p.m. in Nicoson Hall for the final game of the regular season.