Five players scored in double figures and an early second-half surge sparked Notre Dame to an 81-61 win over Loyola of Chicago on Sunday afternoon at Purcell Pavilion in South Bend, Ind.

The Fighting Irish heated up from beyond the arc and their defense stiffened after the Ramblers got to within two at 40-38 in the opening minutes of the second half.

But by the time forward Bonzie Colson sank a free throw at the 13:22 mark, the Irish (7-2) had pushed the lead back up to 12 at 50-38. Turnovers and missed layups doomed the Ramblers who fell to 5-4.

The Fighting Irish enjoyed their largest lead of the afternoon when forward V.J. Beachem's layup made the score 68-43 with just over seven minutes left.

Colson and forward Matt Ryan led the way for the Fighting Irish with 14 points each. Beachem and guards Demetrius Jackson and Steve Vasturia each scored 10 points.

Guard Tyson Smith and forward Donte Ingram came off the bench to lead the Ramblers with 12 points each.

Sharp shooting and a decisive advantage on the boards keyed Notre Dame's second-half surge. While the Fighting Irish were connecting on 3-point attempts (10-for-20), the Ramblers went nearly nine minutes making only one basket.

Notre Dame also had a 39-25 rebounding advantage.

Loyola stayed close throughout the first half until Ryan's layup put the Fighting Irish up by 10 at 37-27 with 1:44 left.

Notre Dame has six days to rest before the Fighting Irish host instate rival Indiana on Saturday.