CHICAGO – Loyola Chicago wins its fourth straight game to improve to 2-0 in the Atlantic 10 with a Saturday night victory over Duquesne, 72-67. It also marks the seventh consecutive win in Gentile Arena for the Ramblers. Philip Alston posted a team-leading 17 points.
 
Loyola improves to 10-5 overall and 2-0 in conference play.
 
"Championship teams and good teams have to find ways to win," said head coach Drew Valentine. "Different people have to step up. You never know whose night it's going to be. We need to have depth and possibilities. Tonight was a great representation of that. We have a bunch of really good guys who are growing and starting to believe in what we do here."
 
How It Happened
The first half of Saturday's match up was a game of runs for the Ramblers and Dukes. Duquesne strung together the first 6-0 stretch with a three-point play from Jimmy Clark III to make it a 17-9 lead for the Dukes midway through. Duquesne's first double-digit lead came a minute later on a second-chance bucket by Halil Barre at the 10:44 mark.
 
By the 4:27 mark, the Ramblers rallied for a 7-0 run to get within two of the Dukes. Dame Adelekun, Des Watson, and Jalen Quinn combined for the effort. Alston's jumper gave the Ramblers a 34-33 lead at the 2:43 mark. The Dukes responded scoring seven unanswered points to regain the edge. They led 40-36 at the halftime break.
 
The Ramblers hung within five of the Dukes to open the second half before an 8-0 run helped Loyola recapture a two-point lead. Watson hit back-to-back threes just under the 10-minute mark making it 54-52 Loyola.
 
Despite some back and fourth, Watson pulled up for a jumper sparking a 9-0 run giving the Ramblers their largest lead at eight with 3:16 left on the clock. Clark and Rozier tried to shoot the Dukes back into the game, and a pair of free throws from Grant got them within four in the final seconds, but the Ramblers held on to win, 72-67.

Inside the Box Score
- The Ramblers shot 50 percent from the field for the second straight game.
- Alston finished with 17 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
- Watson and Adelekun finished in double-figures for their second straight games with 15 points each. Watson connected on 3-of-6 from deep, while Adelekun shot 50 percent in the post.
- Jayden Dawson added seven points, seven rebounds, and five assists. He tied his career-high in rebounds and set a new personal best in assists.
-Loyola's 10 wins so far this season matches the win total from last year.
 
Up Next
Loyola continues A10 play at home next week. The Ramblers host Richmond on Tuesday for a 7 p.m. tipoff in Gentile Arena.