CHICAGO – Dame Adelekun's double-double powered Loyola Chicago's 73-70 win against New Orleans Saturday afternoon. He recorded 22 points (6-9 FG, 11-12 FT) and 11 rebounds. Des Watson joined him in double-figures with 19 points.
 
The Ramblers shot over 43 percent from the field and won the rebounding battle, 47-37.
 
With the win, the Ramblers improve to 2-2.
 
"You've got to find ways to win, and it's not always going to be pretty," said head coach Drew Valentine. "Especially being down personnel who have a big impact on what we envision for this team's success. I thought on a short turn around, the guys did a good job stepping up. Dame will continue to blossom and create a cool inside duo with Phil when we get him back."
 
How It Happened
Loyola came out of the gates with a 10-2 run, including three straight dunks from Dame Adelekun, Miles Rubin, and Des Watson. Watson kept the show going for the Ramblers with back-to-back three-pointers for a nine-point lead at the 12:35 mark.
 
The Privateers fought back over the next two minutes and tied the game 19-19 with a pair of free throws from Tyson Jackson. Loyola quickly built its lead up to eight by the 5:49 mark on a second chance bucket from Tom Welch. Welch and Trey Lewis connected on back-to-back possessions under the three-minute mark for the first double-figure lead, and the Ramblers took a 41-31 edge into the halftime break.
 
In the second half, the Ramblers got their lead up to 11 on three occasions. The last one being off a Watson dunk with 9:39 to play. The Privateers didn't give up and got within four over the next minute. Jordan Johnson connected on three straight threes for UNO and cut the Rambler lead to two at the 4:52 mark.
 
Johnson kept his hot streak going with another from deep with 2:25 on the clock, but it was the final points for UNO. Adelekun would get one more at the line in the final 30 seconds, and the Ramblers won, 73-70.
 
Inside the Box Score
- Rubin finished with five blocks. He's the first Rambler to tally five in a game since 2010. He's tied 10^th on the single-game block list.
- Adelekun notched his seventh career double-double and first as a Rambler. It's also the fifth time in his career with a 20+ point performance and 10^th career game with double-digit boards.
- Watson is on a three-game double-figure scoring streak.
- Adelekun and Patrick Mwamba made their first career starts.
- Greg Dolan dished out a season-high seven assists.
- Welch added a season-high performance of nine points and eight rebounds.
 
Up Next
Loyola Chicago heads to Kansas City for the Hall of Fame Classic. The Ramblers open the tournament with No. 8 Creighton on Wednesday. Tipoff is 3 p.m. CT.