CHICAGO – Loyola Chicago tipped off the 2023-24 season in the second annual Barstool Invitational Wednesday night. The Ramblers faced No. 10 FAU in the first game of the night's doubleheader. The Owls took a 13-point edge at the half and held on to it for a 75-62 win against the Ramblers.
 
Loyola was led by Philip Alston with 15 points (4-12 FG, 1-3 3PT, 6-8 FT) and six boards. He was the only Rambler in double-figures. As a squad, Loyola shot 43.1 percent from the field and hit six from deep. The bench also stepped up big for the Ramblers out scoring FAU's, 25-13.
 
"The event itself for opening week of college basketball was pretty cool to get two high quality programs that have done a lot of winning over the past five to six years," said head coach Drew Valentine. "I think in spurts we showed tonight why I've been so optimistic this off-season about this group. We knew coming into the game that discipline was going to be what would win us the game or lose us the game. We didn't have enough discipline, especially in the first half."
 
How It Happened
Wednesday got off to a slow start with just seven combined points at the first media time out. Des Watson ended a scoreless streak to start the game for the Ramblers with a bucket in the paint at the 16:17 mark. A few minutes later, Jayden Dawson scored five straight Loyola points and cut the lead to one with 13:05 to go.
 
The Ramblers would get the lead down to one on one more occasion, but the Owls used an 11-0 run into the final four minutes of the first. Braden Norris used a pair from the line to break up the stretch. FAU responded with another five points to take their largest lead of the half at 17, and the Owls led 43-30 at the break.
 
To open the second half, Watson connected for the Ramblers hoping for an early spark, but it was matched by the Owls with a dunk from Vladislav Goldin who sparked a 7-0 run. That's when Alston stepped up for the Ramblers scoring six points in an 11-0 run. Patrick Mwamba capped the stretch with a wide-open three from the right side cutting the lead down to seven with 13:33 on the clock.
 
It was the closest Loyola could get in the second half despite getting the lead back again to single-digits inside the final 10 minutes. FAU built its lead back to 19 with the help of a fast break from Bryan Greenlee with 5:05 to play. Late buckets from Greg Dolan and Sheldon Edwards got the lead back down to 13, but Loyola fell, 75-62.
 
Inside the Box Score
- Five newcomers logged their first minutes as Ramblers Wednesday. Watson, Dolan, and Miles Rubin started, while Mwamba and Dame Adelekun saw time off the bench.
- Alston's double-figure performance is the 26^th game of his career with at least 10 points.
- Norris added eight points, three rebounds, three assists, and a steal.
- In his debut, Adelekun scored six off the bench and added four rebounds and three assists.
- Loyola won the battle in the paint, 28-24.
 
Up Next
The Ramblers open a three-game home stand at Gentile this weekend. Loyola Chicago is set to tipoff the home season with Eastern Illinois at 7 p.m. Saturday.