Loyola Falls in NIT Semifinal vs. Chattanooga

Loyola Falls in NIT Semifinal vs. Chattanooga

INDIANAPOLIS – Loyola Chicago’s NIT run came to an end in Tuesday’s semifinal vs. Chattanooga who snatched an 80-73 win to advance to the championship. Miles Rubin went a perfect 7-7 from the field, finishing with 14 points, while Jayden Dawson led Loyola with 19.

The Ramblers conclude the year at 25-12 over.

“It was a big-time college basketball game tonight. Both fan bases showed out and made for a great environment,” said head coach Drew Valentine. “I am so proud of what this group has accomplished. I’m grateful for the belief they had in us as a team. Des and Sheldon’s leadership and everyone’s belief helped get us here, and I am going to miss these guys.”

In addition to Valentine’s final comments on the season, Rubin confirmed he would return to the court as a Rambler next season.

How It Happened

Both the Ramblers and Mocs came ready to play in the first, forcing five lead changes and seven ties in a back-and-forth first 20 minutes of action. Chattanooga had the first strike 22 seconds in, and the teams traded baskets until a Jalen Quinn three-point play gave Loyola its first lead, 7-6. Quinn grabbed a board on an air ball and fed Dawson for a transition three to push the lead to four by the 15:47 mark.

Chattanooga and Loyola then traded runs that forced two lead changes, and the game saw four more ties by the 9:14 mark. Dawson completed an and-one play to regain a Rambler lead for the remainder of the half. Rubin and Jalen DeLoach went for two straight baskets, while DeLoach and Sheldon Edwards Jr. knocked down shots at the line for Loyola’s largest lead of the night with 3:04 to play in the half, 36-27. The Mocs scored seven of the last nine points, but the Ramblers stayed ahead at the break, 38-34.

The Mocs came out hot to start the second, striking first and scoring 13 points in the first five minutes to swing the lead in their favor, 47-42. Quinn drained a left-side three to halt the Mocs, while DeLoach made it five unanswered with a layup to tie it 47-47. Chattanooga’s spark was still there, scoring eight straight with threes from Trey Bonham and Honnor Huff to go up eight.

Despite five consecutive points by Dawson near the midway point, the Mocs were able to build their lead back to eight by the 8:50 mark. A second-chance put back by Collin Mulholland gave UTC it’s largest lead at 10 with 7:33 to play, but the Ramblers wouldn’t quit, scoring six straight. Francis Nwaokorie drained a three followed by another DeLoach three-point play, cutting the lead down to four.

 

The Ramblers kept the pressure on down the stretch. Des Watson stepped up with a three at the 5:07 mark to get Loyola within two, while Rubin had a tip-in a minute later to keep it a one-possession game. Watson would tally his second three of the night with 2:37 on the clock to trail by just one, 74-73. It was the closest Loyola could get as UTC scored the final six to win, 80-73.