CHICAGO – Philip Alston scored the final eight points for the Ramblers Wednesday night, including a three-point play with 1.1 seconds on the clock to take down the Minutemen, 79-78. Alston finished the night posting his third 20-point performance with 23 on 9-of-17 from the field.
 
Loyola Chicago improves to 12-6 overall and 4-1 in league play.
 
"I have to give our guys credit because they're not breaking regardless of what's going on," said head coach Drew Valentine. "We are finding ways to win, and that is what you have to do in conference play."
 
How It Happened
A competitive open to the first half saw five lead changes by the 16-minute mark with the Ramblers ahead 9-8 at the media timeout a minute later. Four different Ramblers scored in the opening four minutes led by Jayden Dawson with a three to get things going.
 
A Miles Rubin block on a driving Curry opened the door for a fast break down the court. Greg Dolan led the way feeding Alston behind the back for a 17-14 edge with 12:41 to play. Dolan then helped Loyola build its lead to 11 by the 5:47 mark with a second-chance three. UMass used a 9-2 run to get within two in the final two minutes, but Loyola held on to lead 43-40 at the break.
 
To start the second half, a trio of Ramblers helped Loyola to a 7-2 run pushing the lead back to eight. The Minutemen chipped away getting within three twice, but Jalen Quinn's pair at the line kept the lead at seven with 12:49 to go. UMass scored five unanswered from the charity strip to take its first lead of the half just under the 10-minute mark, 61-60.
 
Dolan had an answer from the arc regaining the lead for the Ramblers. UMass tied it twice in the next four minutes. Norris went on a solo 5-0 run with 5:12 to go giving Loyola some space. Despite two three-minute stretches without a field goal, the Minutemen were able to convert at the line to stay with the Ramblers. With 3:29, Curry hit final field goal of the night from deep swinging a one-point advantage to his team.
 
The Minutemen led by as much as three in the final three-minutes, but with 1:51 on the clock, Alston took over. Driving in, he cut the lead to one and a minute later did it again to knot the game, 75-75. Late free throws helped UMass hold a two-point edge until Alston battled inside for a three-point play to steal the win, 79-78.
 
Inside the Box Score
- Alston's 23-points marks the third 20-point performance this season for the senior forward. It's the seventh of his career.
- He attempted a season-high 10 free throws.
- Watson dropped 15 points for his 12^th double-figure scoring game of the season.
- He grabbed a season and team-high nine rebounds.
- With the win, Loyola matches it's conference win total from last year.
- Loyola assisted on 20 of its 26 made field goals.
- The Ramblers scored 20 second chance points off 15 offensive rebounds.
 
Up Next
Loyola takes its next two games on the road. The Ramblers open the trip in New York Saturday. Tipoff at Fordham is set for 12 p.m. CT.