Ramblers Break Hawks Hearts in Valentine’s Day Win

The Loyola men’s basketball team defeated the Saint Joseph’s University Hawks for the second time this season on Valentine’s Day in Gentile Arena. 

Fourth-year forward Philip Alston led the Ramblers with 14 points and eight rebounds, followed by third-year guard Des Watson and graduate forward Dame Adelekun with 12 and 10 points, respectively. Saint Joseph’s first-year guard Xzayvier Brown scored a total of 29 points and seven rebounds in the loss. 

The Ramblers started the game on a hot streak, going on a 14-0 run in the first six minutes of play. Saint Joseph’s ended their lengthy drought with a bucket from second-year forward Rasheer Fleming. Graduate guard Cameron Brown added six more points to bring the game to 16-9. 

Misses and fouls came from the Ramblers’ side of the court while third-year guard Erik Reynolds II and Cameron Brown added five points through a tough Loyola defense. Adelekun faked the Hawks defense and scored on a layup before Xzayvier Brown added three points to the board for the Hawks after drawing a foul driving for a layup.  

Adelekun recorded his only block of the night while the Ramblers struggled on the offensive end, missing their next five shots. With four minutes left in the half, Alston tipped the ball into the net before a timeout was called on the floor with just a point separating the Ramblers lead at 21-20. 

First-year center Miles Rubin nearly got his own rebound after missing a free throw. Graduate forward Patrick Mwamba stole the ball from the Hawks defense at mid-court and took it all the way for a slam dunk. 

Alston and Mwamba kept the offense moving on the court, adding six points for Loyola. But the Hawks came back with a last second 3-pointer from Xzayvier Brown to go into the halftime break, leading the Ramblers 30-29. 

Watson opened up scoring in the second half with an open 3-pointer which Fleming responded to with a made bucket. Edwards and Alston each hit 3-pointers to put the Ramblers ahead at the first official timeout of the half at 40-32. 

Saint Joseph’s collected themselves during the timeout and made two more layups before fouling Alston, who made both at his trip to the line. 

A layup attempt from Cameron Brown was blocked by both Mwamba and Edwards, but it bounced to Reynolds II who missed a 3-pointer. Mwamba got the rebound and sent it to Rubin who slammed it home, making it 47-38. 

Xzayvier Brown added two points at the line before Adelekun fouled third-year forward Kacper Klaczek, who made both attempts at the line. 

Watson added two at the line, which was quickly responded to with a layup by Xzayvier Brown. Klaczek rejected shots from Alston and Watson as the Hawks fought to stay competitive, down 51-44. 

The Hawks attempted to close the gap with two 3-pointers from Cameron Brown and Xzayvier Brown while Watson kept the Ramblers steady with a three. 

Watson squeezed an alley-oop layup through the Hawks defense before three missed attempts on one possession from Reynolds II, Cameron Brown and first-year forward Anthony Finkley forced Saint Joseph’s into a timeout with two-and-a-half minutes left. 

Adelekun added on with a two-hand slam while graduate guard Braden Norris added two points at the line. 

Watson and Xzayvier Brown both went two-for-two at the free-throw line after being intentionally fouled. After the Hawks called a timeout with five seconds left, Cameron Brown missed a desperation 3-pointer and Mwamba was intentionally fouled with just a second left. He made both free throws to solidify the 64-59 Rambler victory. 

With the win, the Ramblers sat in first place in the Atlantic 10 conference, tied with the University of Dayton. Alston said it was “very emotional” to see that the hard work the team has been putting in has paid off. 

Head coach Drew Valentine said he was proud of the team and their ability to win during conference play. 

“This team is just finding ways to win,” Valentine said. “I think that just encompasses what our conference season has been. It’s important for teams to find different ways to win, and it’s important for teams to be able to fight through adversity.” 

The Ramblers return to Gentile Arena Feb. 24 where they will take on George Mason University. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. and fans can watch on USA TV Network or listen on Rambler Sports Network.

Featured image by Allison Treanor | The Phoenix