CHICAGO (February 3, 2023) - Loyola University Chicago returns home for the first time in two weeks on Saturday, Feb. 4, when the Ramblers welcome George Mason to town. Tip-off inside Gentile Arena is set for 1:30 p.m. on USA Network, with Kevin Lee and John Giannini on the call. Saturday's game can also be heard on the Rambler Sports Network, with Jeff Hagedorn and Christian Thomas calling the action live from courtside. Saturday is Loyola's annual Hall of Fame game, with the class of 2023 being recognized during halftime.
 
Last Time Out
Philip Alston scored 20 or more points for the second consecutive game as the Ramblers dropped an 85-81 overtime heartbreaker to Dayton on the road on Tuesday, Jan. 31. Down by six with less than a minute left, Braden Norris hit a 3-pointer before Alston banked in a three with 0.4 seconds left to force the game to overtime. In the extra period, the Flyers outscored Loyola 13-9 to secure the victory. Bryce Golden had his best game as a Rambler with 15 points while Norris added 14 points and seven assists.
 
Scouting George Mason
Saturday will mark just the second meeting in program history between the Ramblers and Patriots, with the first meeting coming earlier this season. George Mason took the inaugural contest by an 86-75 final on Jan. 7. In the first meeting, Philip Alston led the way with 23 points while Ben Schwieger fell a rebound shy of his first-career double-double with 17 points and nine rebounds.  Braden Norris also finished in double figures, scoring 12 points to go along with five rebounds, seven assists and no turnovers. The Ramblers, who were tied with George Mason at the break, was unable to overcome a hot-shooting Patriot team in the second half. Over the final 20 minutes of play, George Mason shot 62.1% from the field.
 
Four Patriots average in double figures, led by Josh Oduro's 15.2 points per game. In the first meeting this season, Oduro and Cooper DeVon scored 17 points each as five Patriot players finished in double figures. George Mason is the best 3-point shooting team in the country, connecting at a 36.6% clip. Victor Bailey leads the 3-point charge, averaging 2.39 3-pointers per game. Oduro leads the league with nine double-doubles on the season, including five in Atlantic 10 play.
 
Up Next
The Ramblers remain at home to take on St. Joseph's on Wednesday, February 8. Tip-off on NBC Sports Chicago is set for 8 p.m.