Men’s Basketball Leaves the Bronx With Close 65-61 Win Versus Fordham

Loyola men’s basketball picked up their third straight win in the Atlantic 10 overcoming Fordham University 65-61 on the road in Rose Hill Gym Jan. 20. 

Third-year guard Des Watson led the Ramblers statistically with 19 points and three assists. Graduate forward Dame Adelekun scored 17 and made key free throws down the stretch to ice the game while second-year guard Jayden Dawson provided an offensive spark with 15 points. 

Loyola made the trip to New York City on a hot streak coming off a late 79-78 win over the University of Massachusetts, sitting at 13-6 overall and 4-1 in A-10 play. The Rams enjoyed some home cooking while 8-10 overall and 2-3 in-conference. 

Adelekun got going down low in the early minutes, scoring twice inside, but the Ramblers found themselves down 10-6 after five minutes of play as second-year Ram forward Romad Dean and first-year guard Jahmere Tripp set the pace of play and the Ram full-court press threw the Rambler offensive attack off balance. 

Watson was able to cut the lead to two at 12-10 after graduate forward Tom Welch found him cutting along the baseline. The Rams pushed ahead and jumped to a 17-11 lead with the help of a 3-pointer by fourth-year guard Kyle Rose. 

Watson drained a fadeaway mid-range jumper and Welch dropped in two free throws, helping Loyola bring it within four at 19-15 with just under eight minutes left in the half. An 11-5 Fordham run ensued after second-year guard Will Richardson connected on a 3-ball and third-year guard Jack Riley made four at the line. Second-year Ram forward Josh Rivera scored inside without much resistance leading Rambler head coach Drew Valentine to call timeout down 30-20. 

The last three minutes of the half were all Loyola as Welch and Watson both scored near the basket and Dawson drained an energizing three, cutting the deficit to 34-28. Watson made a mid-range jumper just before the end of the half capping off a 12-4 Rambler run in the final minutes as they took the momentum into the break, down 34-30. 

Dawson got things going in the second half with a floater. Rivera responded with a bucket in the paint helping Fordham maintain a close 36-33 lead. First-year center Miles Rubin finished a lob from graduate guard Braden Norris with a smooth touch off the glass, but the Rams responded immediately. 

Dawson scored two quick buckets to give Loyola their first lead of the game at 39-38. Second-year Ram forward Elijah Gray gave the lead right back to Fordham with a smooth finish in the post. 

Adelekun put his veteran post-up skills on display and scored twice down low to give the Ramblers a 43-41 lead. Gray and Watson traded 3-pointers before both teams went multiple possessions without a made basket. 

First-year Ram forward Jahmere Tripp scored off an offensive rebound ending the collective drought and giving Fordham a 47-46 lead. Loyola created some separation after Dawson scored inside and Norris drained a deep three making it 51-47 with just under eight minutes to play. 

The teams traded successful trips to the free throw line and Gray brought the tension to a fever pitch when he connected on a 3-pointer, cutting the Rambler lead to just 53-52. Adelekun sparked a Rambler run all on his own scoring five straight points to make it 58-52 with three minutes left.

Adelekun rejected Richardson’s driving layup but Gray returned the favor and stuffed him as he tried to score in the post. Richardson brought the fans to their feet when he found himself wide open in the corner for a 3-pointer. A late foul by Watson gave Richardson a rare four-point play opportunity which he converted to make it 58-56 with less than two minutes left. 

Watson made up for his mistake with a difficult step-back 3-pointer. Then, Gray moved fast and scored a jumper in the paint leaving just three points separating the squads, sitting at 61-58. With 40 seconds left, Adelekun broke through the Fordham press and got to the rim where he got tied up in a jump ball. The possession arrow favored Loyola but they had just five seconds left to shoot. 

The inbound pass intended for Adelekun was nearly stolen away but a key foul was called against fourth-year Fordham guard Antrell Charlton giving Adelekun two shots at the line. He made both but Gray stormed down the floor and made a three with 12 seconds left to make it 63-61. 

The Ramblers moved the ball well through the Fordham press and found Adelekun downfloor where he was fouled driving towards the rim. He made both free throws to put the game away 65-61. A desperate three from Charlton fell shy as Valentine and company surpassed their A-10 win total from last season. 

Fordham was successful in slowing down the Rambler ball movement and held them to just 10 assists, an impressive feat as Loyola leads the A-10 in assists per game. Loyola outrebounded the Rams 35 to 33 while they lost the turnover battle 14 to 12. Superior shooting made the difference as the Ramblers shot 48% from the floor and 40% from three while Fordham’s field goal percentage was just 36% and 30% from beyond the arc. 

The Ramblers will be back at home for the Jesuit Jam Tuesday, Jan. 30 when they take on Saint Louis University. First-tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. and fans can catch the game on NBC Sports Chicago+.

Featured image courtesy of Loyola Athletics