­CHICAGO – Loyola Chicago picked up its ninth home win of the season behind a 21-point night from Des Watson. The Ramblers beat Rhode Island, 81-77. Watson finished 8-of-13 from the field, 2-of-3 from deep, and 3-of-4 at the line.
 
Loyola improves to 11-6 overall, 2-2 in Atlantic 10 play.
 
"The guys made a decision tonight to do whatever it takes to win," said head coach Drew Valentine. "I have to give them credit. A lot of guys stepped up when our usual suspects couldn't get hot. Francis and JQ stepped up, and I thought Des played like a first team all-league guy tonight. Our guys have continued to fight through adversity, and they got it done tonight."
 
How It Happened
Aside from the opening basket from Rhode Island, Loyola controlled most of the first half, taking the lead on a three from Francis Nwaokorie two minutes in. The Rams forced two ties, including a 16-16 deadlock at the 12:24 mark on a three by Jamarques Lawrence, but Loyola would widen the gap on an 8-0 run with five points from Watson to take a 28-22 lead at the under-eight media timeout.
 
Nwaokorie pushed the lead to double-figures with 5:06 to play in the half after Kymany Houinsou fed him for a fast break dunk off a steal. It wasn't enough to shake Rhode Island who fought back with 11 unanswered to take a one-point lead with 1:25 on the clock. Jalen Quinn's free throws with five seconds to go swung the lead back to Loyola, but the Rams drained a buzzer beater for a 39-38 edge at the half.
 
The second-half went back and forth, seeing 13 lead changes in the final 20 minutes. The Rams pulled ahead by seven for their largest lead yet. Cam Estevez sparked an 8-0 run that was capped at the line by Javonte Brown. Nwaokorie drained a three to snap the stretch, while Jayden Dawson's three with 10:03 to play captured the lead for Loyola once again.
 
URI tied the game 60-all at the 8:13 mark and took one final lead on a Brown layup with 6:39 to play. Nwaokorie stayed hot from the arc for the Ramblers tying it 30 seconds later, while Dawson's free throw secure a lead for the remainder of the half. Quinn's free throws with just over 30 seconds to go gave the Ramblers a six-point edge and a cushion as Sebastian Thomas hit a three on the other end to follow. The teams traded free throws in the final seconds, and the Ramblers held on to win, 81-77.
 
Inside the Box Score
- This marked Watson's third 20-point performance this season.
- Quinn tied his career-high 17 points. He shot 50 percent from the field (5-10) and went 7-of-8 at the charity stripe. Quinn added five assists.
- Nwaokorie scored a season-high 14 points, finishing 5-of-6 from the field with three from the arc.
- Jalen DeLoach finished with seven points, five boards, six assists, two blocks, and a steal. It marked a new career-high in assists.
- The Ramblers finished the game shooting 50 percent from the field (28-56) and 76 percent at the line (19-25).
- Loyola tallied a season-low five turnovers, which ties the fewest turnovers committed during Valentine's tenure.
- The Ramblers led in points off turnovers (13-6), points in the paint (36-30), and fast break points (11-2).
 
Up Next
Loyola hits the road to play Dayton on Jan. 18 at 3 p.m. CT.