CHICAGO – Loyola Chicago faced a tough challenge against the 16-1 George Mason team on Tuesday night, losing 82-74. The Ramblers had a strong start, leading by 12 points in the first half. Even late in the game, they were just two points behind with only 2:02 left on the clock.
Nic Anderson shined with a career-high 17 points, supported by four teammates who also scored in double figures. Despite this setback, head coach Drew Valentine praised his team’s effort. He said, “Our guys had the right mindset tonight. They believed they could win. We have some warriors in that locker room, and if we keep this belief, we have a good chance as the season progresses.”
The game began with a highlight alley-oop from Miles Rubin, setting the tone for Loyola. They quickly took a 9-4 lead, and even though George Mason managed to tie the game multiple times, the Ramblers held their ground. With an impressive 8-0 run, they reached a 12-point lead before heading into halftime ahead 47-41.
In the second half, Anderson struck first with a fast-break dunk. But George Mason fought back, leading to a nail-biting finish with seven lead changes throughout the half. The last lead for Loyola came with 4:47 remaining. Unfortunately, the Patriots sealed the game, scoring eight of the final ten points.
Looking at the individual performances:
– Anderson not only led the team with 17 points but also grabbed seven rebounds and had two steals.
– Freshman Houinsou contributed 15 points, going a perfect 6 for 6 from the field.
– Rubin added 14 points while shooting 87.5% and dishing out a career-high six assists.
– Deywilk Tavarez hit key shots for 13 points, and Joshua Ola-Joseph rounded out the scoring with 10.
Loyola excelled in the paint, outscoring George Mason 44-34 and shooting an impressive 53.7% from the field, including six three-pointers. However, free throws proved costly as the Patriots went 20-26 while Loyola managed only 10-18.
Looking ahead, Loyola will take on Dayton this Friday at 7:30 p.m. CT. As they continue their journey in the Atlantic 10 Conference, fans are hopeful that with growing confidence and players returning, the team can turn things around.
In light of today’s competitive landscape, it’s important to remember that teams often learn the most from close games like these. According to sports analyst Kelly Kremer, “Games like this teach resilience. It’s about building character for the future. These close encounters can prepare teams for playoffs.” Indeed, the season is long, and many teams have turned their fortunes around with the right mindset. Lofty goals await, as the Ramblers aim to gain momentum heading into February and March.
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