CHICAGO – For the first time since 1986, Loyola Chicago pulled off a ranked win inside Gentile Arena upsetting No. 21 Dayton Friday night, 77-72. Des Watson led all-scorers with 24 points (9-13 FG, 4-5 3PT, 2-2 FT), while Braden Norris recorded a double-double with 19 points and 11 assists.
 
With the win, Loyola improves to 21-8 overall and 13-3 in Atlantic 10 play.
 
"Just a gritty win. We came into the game and talked about toughness and focus," said head coach Drew Valentine. "We knew it was going to be a high-level atmosphere and environment. We needed to make sure we were the tougher team physically and tougher team mentally. The focus remained on winning the game and getting it done. For us to respond as physical as we won this game was very impressive."
 
How It Happened
The Ramblers and Flyers went to battle Friday night with Philip Alston getting the night going from deep for the first points of the game. Dayton responded with a 7-0 run to take the lead for the remainder of the half.
 
Loyola didn't let up and stayed within five over the next few minutes. Greg Dolan forced a steal and fed the ball to Watson on the fast break, cutting the Dayton lead to one with 9:31 to play. Less than a minute later, Watson connected from deep to knot the game 14-14.
 
Down the stretch, Nate Santos drained a three for a six-point lead for Dayton's largest advantage yet. Norris was fouled beyond the arc with six seconds to go. He went 3-for-3 at the line, and Loyola trailed 35-32 at the break.
 
By the 17:40 mark of the second, Watson, Dame Adelekun and Jayden Dawson chipped away for a 37-35 lead. Dawson grabbed a steal and went coast to coast for Loyola's two-point advantage early in the half.
 
Dayton regained the lead by the 16-minute media, and the Flyers used a 7-0 run a few minutes later to jump ahead 52-47. Despite the run, the Ramblers responded with six unanswered points. Watson regained the lead at the line, while Norris fed Tom Welch for an alleyoop. Norris struck again with a steal and feed to Watson on the fast break with 7:56 to play, and Loyola went up, 59-54.
 
The Flyers tied it three more times down the stretch, but Norris hit two clutch threes and closed the game at the line 2-for-2, helping Loyola win, 77-72.
 
Inside the Box Score
- Watson had 16 points in the first half (6-9 FG, 4-5 3PT). He finished the night matching his career-high 24 points. It's his fourth 20-point performance this season.
- Norris recorded his first double-double as a Rambler and fourth of his career. His 11 assists is a season-high and one short of matching his career-best. It's the fourth double-double by a Rambler this year.
- As a team, the Ramblers finished with 20 assists. Dayton only had 10.
- Alston extended his double-figure scoring streak to seven games. He finished with 13 points and a team-high seven rebounds. Alston also had two blocks.
- With his 123rd start, Norris became the program's all-time career leader.
- Rubin tallied four blocks. He needs just six more for the single-season record. 
- Loyola forced 22 turnovers for 20 points.
- This marks Loyola's first ranked win at home since 1986.
- It's Loyola's first regular season ranked win since Dec. 6, 2017 vs. Florida.
 
Up Next
The Ramblers head out on the road next week. Loyola and Davidson will meet for the second time this year on Wednesday. Tipoff is 6 p.m. CT.