CHICAGO – Loyola Chicago is one of two Atlantic 10 teams who remain undefeated following a 76-54 win over Eastern Michigan Tuesday night. The last time the Ramblers opened a season at 7-0 was in 2017-18.
Loyola was led by
Des Watson who tied his career-high with 24 points (8-12 FG, 3-5 3PT, 5-6 FT).
Miles Rubin added a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double in the win.
"For being off 10 days, our spirit was in the right place to survive," said head coach
Drew Valentine. "Teams are always going to be rusty after these breaks and I thought our 17 turnovers were the rust tonight, but I think we were able to overcome that with our competitiveness and spirit. That was led by Des and the way he is competing. His mind is in the right spot and sets the tone for everyone else."
How It Happened
Eastern Michigan put the first two points on the board 20 seconds in before Loyola responded with 15 unanswered points. Watson went 3-for-3 in the stretch with a big three at the 15:47 mark to put Loyola up double-digits. The Eagles finally got back in the mix after a five-minute drought and cut the lead down to six following a 7-0 run.
Jayden Dawson and
Francis Nwaokorie drained two from deep to push the lead back to double-figures with just over 11:30 to play. Nearing the five-minute mark, EMU's Da'Sean Nelson put two away from the line, getting back within five, but it would be the closest the Eagles would get with late three-point shooting from
Sheldon Edwards Jr. and Nwaokorie to rally the Ramblers back to an 11-point lead.
Justin Moore would get the final bucket of the half, and Loyola led 39-26.
The Ramblers would keep their lead at 10 or more for the remainder of the night. Five minutes into the half, Christian Henry hit a step-back jumper to get the Eagles within 10, but Loyola scored seven of the next nine to take its largest lead yet at 15. Watson netted a jumper in the paint, while Dawson fed Rubin on an alley-oop for 17-point lead 11 minutes in.
Nwaokorie widened the gap to 20 with a transition three at the 7:55 mark and the Ramblers kept climbing. Watson banked in a three for a 24-point edge, while Rubin flushed another dunk to go up 25. The largest lead of the game came at the 1:07 mark on a drive inside by Edwards. Loyola's final points of the night came at the charity stripe, and the Ramblers won, 76-54.
Inside the Box Score
- Watson (24), Moore (11), Nwaokorie (11), Rubin (10) scored double-figures. It's the fifth game this season at least four Ramblers have scored at least 10 points.
- This was Watson's first 20-point game of the season, fifth of his career, and second this season for a Rambler. He also recorded four boards, one assist, and two steals.
- Tonight marked Rubin's second double-double of the season and third of his career.
- Nwaokorie finished 4-for-4 from the field with three from the arc. He added seven boards.
- Moore neared a double-double after tying his career-high eight assists.
- Loyola dominated the glass, 42-15.
- The Ramblers also led in points in the paint (36-16), second chance points (20-2), and bench points (23-13).
- The Ramblers tallied 21 assists on 29 made baskets. It's the fourth time this season they've eclipsed the 20-assist mark.
Up Next
The Ramblers continue home play Saturday. Loyola and South Florida will tip-off on USA at 11:30 a.m. CT.
