CHICAGO – For the third straight game, the Ramblers rallied pulling off a comeback win after facing a 12-point deficit in the first half. Loyola Chicago escaped 65-61 behind big performances from Des Watson, Dame Adelekun, and Jayden Dawson. 
 
Watson led all scorers with 19 points (6-10 FG, 2-2 3PT, 5-6 FT), while Adelekun added 17 (6-11 FG, 5-6 FT). Dawson concluded the double-digit efforts with 13 (6-10 FG 1-3 3PT). 
 
With the win, Loyola extends their win streak to three games and improves to 13-6 overall and 5-1 in the A10. 
 
"I'm trying my hardest to not have our group be content, but we didn't have the grit we needed to," said head coach Drew Valentine. "I thought we got to some of the looks we wanted to get. We made them when we needed to. I am proud of the growth and the adversity this group is fighting through." 
 
How It Happened 
The Rams punched first Saturday afternoon with four quick points before Adelekun came off the bench to tie it 4-4 in the opening four minutes. The Ramblers tied it again two minutes later with the help of Dawson, but Fordham would hold on to a lead for the remainder of the half. 
 
Fordham built its lead to double-digits by the four-minute mark off a layup from Josh Rivera to put the Rams up 12. Loyola responded closing the first half on a 12-4 run. Dawson scored five in the stretch, while Watson capped the half with a jumper to get Loyola within four, 34-30. 
 
The run continued into the second with Dawson and Watson cutting the lead to one. Dawson would score again just under the 17-minute mark to swing a one-point advantage to the Ramblers. The next nine-minutes saw six lead changes, but two straight buckets from Dawson and Braden Norris allowed Loyola to control the remainder of the game with just seven minutes to play. 
 
Elijah Gray hit a three with 4:20 on the clock to get the Rams back within one of the Ramblers. It was the closest they'd get with Adelekun going to work scoring eight of Loyola's final 12 points. His final three came at the line helping clinch a 65-61 win.  
 
Inside the Box Score 
- Watson has scored double-figures in six of the last seven games following his 19 points today. 
- Adelekun's 17-point performance is his sixth double-digit effort of the season, and his third in league play. 
- Dawson has scored at least 10 in three of the last four games. 
- The Ramblers shot over 47 percent from the field and 40 percent from deep. 
 
Up Next 
Loyola continues its road trip at VCU Tuesday. Tipoff is 6 p.m. CT on CBS Sports Network.