Loyola Chicago faced a tough challenge on the road against San Francisco, losing 85-71 at the Chase Center. Xavier Amos led the Ramblers with 17 points and a season-high seven rebounds.
The defeat leaves Loyola with a record of 3-9. Head coach Drew Valentine noted that the team struggled with intensity, especially in the first half. However, he praised the players for their effort and resilience, especially when San Francisco went on scoring runs.
In the first few minutes, the game saw a back-and-forth dynamic. San Francisco broke away with a quick 7-0 run, leading by nine early on. Loyola stayed close, thanks mainly to Amos, who scored four points and exchanged three-pointers with the Dons. Unfortunately, Loyola couldn’t close the gap, and San Francisco ended the half with a commanding 50-36 lead.
The second half started unkindly for Loyola, as the Dons quickly surged ahead with an 8-0 run, putting the Ramblers down by 22 points. Yet, Loyola fought back with an 11-4 run, even narrowing the lead to 14. Justin Moore, Joshua Ola-Joseph, and Caleb Reese contributed to the scoring, but it wasn’t enough to erase the deficit.
Looking at individual performances:
- Amos shot 5-for-12 from the field and made 6 out of 8 free throws.
- Moore added 15 points while shooting 5-for-10 overall.
- Kayde Dotson scored 13 points, with seven coming from the foul line, and led the team with three assists.
- Kymany Houinsou added 11 points and five rebounds.
Interestingly, Loyola’s performance in the paint was a bright spot, where they outscored San Francisco 36-22. They also secured 11 offensive rebounds, leading to 13 second-chance points, showcasing their hustle inside.
As the Ramblers prepare for their next game against Santa Clara on Saturday, they’ll need to build on these positives to turn their season around. The matchup tips off at 4 p.m. CT.
For more on college basketball performance trends, you can refer to the NCAA’s official statistics page here.
