Men’s basketball prevails over Princeton 73-68

Loyola men’s basketball secured a narrow 73-68 win Friday, Nov. 15 against Princeton University. Third-year guard Jayden Dawson, Princeton’s third-year guard Xaivian Lee and second-year guard Dalen Davis all scored a game-high 17 points during the game. 

The Ramblers started the game with a 7-0 run, with shots by third-year guard Kymany Houinsou, second-year center Miles Rubin and a 3-pointer by graduate guard Sheldon Edwards Jr. Third-year forward Caden Pierce the Tigers’ first points on the board with a driving layup. 

The lead switched between both teams, concluding with a 3-pointer by Lee. After a minute-long drought, Pierce added two at the free-throw line for the Tigers and fourth-year forward Jalen DeLoach finished a dunk for a 13-11 Princeton lead. 

The pattern of Princeton leading and Loyola tying the game continued until Dawson broke through for the Ramblers with a 3-pointer to make it 21-18. 

A reversed scoring pattern of Loyola leading and Princeton tying ensued, with Houinsou and Rubin adding four points, and Lee and first-year forward Malik Abdullahi combining for five. Abdullahi secured a 28-25 lead for the Tigers after dropping in a layup. 

Both teams went on a minute-long scoring drought after a DeLoach layup. Third-year guard Jalen Quinn pushed the Ramblers ahead with a step-back jumper for a narrow 30-29 score. Houinsou snatched the lead for Loyola after converting a layup. 

Dawson and Quinn kept things moving and added a 3-pointer and a driving layup to the board. On the other side of the court, Lee and third-year Princeton guard Jack Scott tied the game at 36 with layups and two good free throws. 

Fourth-year guard Des Watson was fouled by Lee on a 3-point attempt and made all three at the line to give Loyola the lead. After a jumper by Edwards Jr., Watson added two more at the line to extend their advantage, ending the first half 43-38 in favor of the Ramblers. 

The second half opened up slowly with each side’s first points coming a minute between. Dawson started with a 3-pointer and Abdullahi scored on a two point jumper. Lee added one after being sent to the line by Rubin. 

Over a minute later and following misses from both teams, DeLoach added to the seven-point Loyola lead with a dunk. Davis closed the gap to one after sinking back-to-back threes. 

Second-year Princeton guard Jackson Hicke took the lead back with a turn-around jumper and followed with a driving layup. The Tigers’ lead was short-lived after DeLoach made a jumper to tie the game at 52. 

The Ramblers went on a six-point run with single points from Houinsou, first-year guard Daniil Glazkov, third-year guard Justin Moore and three from Edwards Jr. Loyola’s run was cut short after Lee sent in a layup to make it 58-54. 

After a two-minute drought, Davis made a 3-pointer for the Tigers to close in on the Ramblers. DeLoach responded with a layup, maintaining the three-point gap with six minutes remaining in the game.

Just over a minute later, Princeton’s fourth-year guard Blake Peters tied the game at 60 with a 3-pointer, leading the Ramblers to call a timeout. Out of the break, Pierce slammed the ball for the Tigers before Edwards Jr. got the lead back for Loyola with a 3-pointer. 

Another pattern of tying the game occurred until the final minute of play. Lee added four points and Abdullahi made a jumper while Rubin and Dawson added a total of eight points to the board. 

Edwards Jr. made two at the line after being fouled by Peters and secured the 73-68 win for the Ramblers, improving their record to 4-0. 

Rubin secured his second career double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds, setting a new career best for rebounds in a game and four blocked shots.

Head coach Drew Valentine said he’s proud with how the team is starting to come together. 

“We’ve got 10 starters and I have got to continue to find ways to get them all out on the floor and trust them,” Valentine said. “I am pleased with this win and what we saw tonight. This is a big-time win.” 

The Ramblers travel back to Chicago to face Southern Utah Tuesday, Nov. 19 in the second game of a Rambler double-header. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and can be streamed on Marquee Sports Network or ESPN+.