Men’s Basketball Comes Up Short in A10 Semis, Falling 62-55 to VCU

The Loyola men’s basketball team fell to Virginia Commonwealth University 62-55 in the semifinal round of the Atlantic 10 tournament. The Ramblers moved to 22-11 on the season and finish 12-6 in A10 conference competition, with a chance at a bid to the National Invitation Tournament a strong possibility. 

Fourth-year VCU guard Max Shulga led both teams with a game high of 14 points, while second-year center Miles Rubin and graduate guard Sheldon Edwards Jr. split the load with a Loyola best 12. 

While the game was at a neutral site, VCU was followed by an enormous crowd hailing from the other side of the Potomac River, giving the Rams the advantage of a home court atmosphere, according to their head coach Ryan Odom. Head coach Drew Valentine said the ambiance made it a great game to play in. 

“I thought it was a high level atmosphere, high level college basketball game,” Valentine said. “That’s what it felt like in that arena, if you were there those last 10 minutes of the game. The importance, the urgency on both teams.” 

Third-year guard Jayden Dawson got the game started after draining a 3-pointer after a minute of back-and-forth. VCU’s graduate forward Jack Clark, Rubin and graduate Rams guard Joe Bamisile each made layups, before Bamilsile added a three to give VCU a 7-5 advantage. 

It was two minutes until another score, with fourth-year forward Jalen DeLoach slamming a dunk in front of his former team to quench the drought. His score was equalized by a layup from fourth-year VCU guard and A10 Player of the Year Max Shulga, who added two free throws on the next possession. 

Edwards Jr. and fourth-year guard Des Watson added a three and jumper to give the Ramblers a short-lived lead, before graduate Rams guard Zeb Jackson made a jumper to make it 13-12. 

Following another brief scoring drought, graduate VCU guard Phillip Russell sank his first three of the night, which was met with a jumper and layup by third-year guard Kymany Houinsou. Shulga kept a hot hand with a three to make it 19-16 with seven minutes left in the first half. 

Watson’s successful trip at the line was negated by a jumper from VCU’s second-year guard and forward Michael Belle. Watson tied the game at 21 with a 3-pointer on the next possession, 

VCU went on a crucial six-point run — with a layup by Clark, a three from Shulga and one free throw by Jackson — before Dawson countered with a  dunk. A Jackson layup on the next possession kept the 29-23 Rams lead in hand.

Third-year VCU forward Christian Fermin completed a three-point play while Russell made another three. DeLoach snuck a point in after making a free throw while Edwards Jr. came up clutch draining a 3-pointer with under 30 seconds to play in the half. 

Russell ended the half with one made at the line, and the teams went into break with VCU in front 36-27. 

Rubin opened the second half with a dunk and Bamisile answered with a layup. After two minutes of misses from both sides, VCU’s first-year forward Luke Bamgboye made a free throw and Shulga made another 3-pointer, giving the Rams a 42-34 lead. 

Bamgboye’s singular free throw was knocked out by an Edwards Jr. three before Bamgboye and Rubin each gained two baskets for their teams for a five-point VCU lead. 

Fourth-year forward Francis Nwaokorie finished a three-point play and Shulga scored on a layup. Rubin spurred a four-point run taking it himself and posting up for two scores off the glass to tie it at 49 with seven minutes to play. 

Bamisile made one at the line and a minute later Houinsou scored on a layup, prompting VCU to call a timeout, with the Ramblers ahead for the first time since the first half. 

The lead was short-lived out of the timeout as Jackson and Shulga scored on a dunk and layup, while Fermin made two jumpers to propel the Rams ahead 58-51. 

Edwards Jr. closed the scoring gap after making three free throws, while Dawson added one. DeLoach fouled out of the game with 26 seconds remaining, which gave Clark the chance to add two more free throws. 

The final point of the game was scored on a lone Jackson free throw, giving VCU the 62-55 win and a spot in the conference championship tomorrow. 

While the season may not have ended the way the team wanted, Valentine said he’s proud of the way the Ramblers played on the court, and said postseason play may still be possible with a possible NIT bid on the horizon. 

“I’d love to continue coaching this team,” Valentine said. “When you get an opportunity to play postseason basketball, I absolutely think that you should take that opportunity.”