CHICAGO – Loyola Chicago is headed to the NIT semifinals following a 72-62 win over Kent State in Gentile Arena Wednesday night. Miles Rubin led all-scorers with 18 points on 8-9 from the field. It marks the first time back in the NIT semifinals for the Ramblers since the 1962 season.
 
Loyola improves to 25-11 overall. The Ramblers will play Chattanooga on April 1 at 8:30 p.m. CT. The remaining games are held at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
 
"The energy in the arena was through the roof. Our students show up and they're awesome. Everyone is smiling. Everyone is having fun. Tonight was just a great environment," said head coach Drew Valentine. "I truly believe we were an NCAA Tournament team this season, and you're all seeing it now. This team is one we're truly proud of."
 
How It Happened
The Ramblers and Golden Flashes made for a competitive first half with neither team leading by more than three in the first 17 minutes of play. Jalen Sullinger struck first for Kent State and Loyola answered every punch, tying the game five times in the first four and a half minutes. The Ramblers would take their first lead on a Jalen Quinn three-pointer at the 14:59 mark.
 
The next seven minutes saw five lead changes before Jalen DeLoach connected inside the paint to capture a 24-23 lead with 7:37 to play. Loyola grew its lead to five on an 8-2 scoring run that was capped by DeLoach on a put-back dunk with 3:06 remaining. Kent State managed to tie the game at 30-30 with five straight free throws, but late free throws by Francis Nwaokorie and Sheldon Edwards Jr. helped Loyola to an edge at the break, 37-33.
 
Des Watson got the Ramblers going in the second with a driving layup just nine seconds into play. Delrecco Gillespie answered for the Flashes before Loyola went on to score seven straight points over the next minute and a half. Quinn and Jayden Dawson drained back-to-back threes for Loyola's first double-digit lead of the game, 46-35.
 
The Ramblers kept running up the score, jumping ahead by 14 on an Edwards Jr. three and 16 on a Nwaokorie triple. With 8:57 to play, Dawson would hit another from deep for Loyola's largest lead of the night at 19. The Ramblers then went cold, facing a near six-minute scoreless drought that allowed Kent State to get back within nine on a Jalen Sullinger three. Rubin stepped up with five straight points to regain Loyola's momentum. The Ramblers would hold on in the final minutes to win by double-figures, 72-62.
 
Inside the Box Score
- This marked Loyola's first postseason home game since 2015.
- The win secured Loyola's first NIT semifinal appearance since 1962.
- Rubin led all-scorers with 18 points on 8-9 from the field. He added nine rebounds, one assist, one steal, and two blocks.
- Dawson scored 13 points, while Edwards Jr. added 12.
- DeLoach tied his career-high with four blocks. He also finished with eight points, five rebounds, and two assists.
- Loyola tallied 20 assists. Six Ramblers tallied two or more led by Edwards Jr. with five. Watson added four.
- The Ramblers shot 45.8 percent from the field (27-59) with nine threes and held the Flashes to 37 percent from the field (20-54) and four threes.
- Loyola converted 11 turnovers for 12 points and eight offensive boards to 18 points.
- The Ramblers finish the season 17-1 on their home court this year.