CHICAGO – The Ramblers and Spiders battled inside Gentile Arena Tuesday night with eight lead changes over the contest. Richmond snuck away with a 58-56 win despite double-figure scoring efforts from Jayden Dawson and Des Watson.
 
Dawson scored 16 (6-14 FG, 5-10 3PT), while Watson added 14 (3-9 FG, 2-4 3PT, 6-9 FT).
 
The Ramblers fall to 10-6 overall and 2-1 in A10 play.
 
"Growth is never linear," said head coach Drew Valentine. "You have to go through adversity to learn lessons that can help you. That's what this year has been for us. All the games we've played have taught us lessons, but I really think this group is coming together. For us to play against two top-100 teams in a three-day span, I think our talent level is where it needs to be. We have to continue to stick with it."
 
How It Happened
The first five points went on the board for Richmond Tuesday night before Dawson began to heat up shooting the Ramblers right back in with a layup and three. The Spiders were able to keep an edge until Watson sunk a pair at the line sparking a 10-0 run.
 
Dawson's three with 9:21 to play gave the Ramblers their first lead of the game. They built it to 21-15 by the end of the run with 5:35 on the clock. Neal Quinn tied the game 23-23 with a floater inside the paint. It was the final field goal of the half as neither team saw a bucket in the final 2:13 of the first half.
 
Watson opened the second with a shot from deep to regain a lead in the opening seconds. The lead would change twice more before Braden Norris netted a three at the 16:21 mark sparking a 10-0 run with two more triples from Watson and Dawson. Loyola's eight-point lead didn't last long with the Spider knotting the game, 38-38.
 
By the 10-minute mark, Dame Adelekun led the Ramblers to a 44-43 edge. The game saw three more lead changes, and back-to-back threes from Jordan King swung momentum back in Richmond's favor. Watson put away two at the charity stripe making it a one-possession game with 22 seconds to play. Jalen Quinn tried to beat the buzzer but couldn't get the shot off in time, and the Spiders escaped, 58-56.
 
Inside the Box
- Watson is on a four-game double-figure scoring streak following his 14-point outing. He went 3-of-9 from the field with two threes. He was 6-of-9 at the line.
- Dawson's third game this season with four or more made three-pointers.
- Dawson recorded a career-high eight rebounds.
- Miles Rubin finished with eight points, seven boards, two assists, two steals, and two blocks.
- Quinn tallied a team-high five assists. He also added five rebounds and a steal.
- Loyola out-rebounded Richmond, 41-33.
 
Up Next
Loyola heads east this weekend to Saint Joseph's. Tipoff is 3 p.m. CT on ESPNU Saturday.