The Loyola Chicago Ramblers (12-6, 4-1 A-10) defeated the Massachusetts Minutemen (11-6, 2-3 A-10) 79-78 in a Wednesday night thriller. The Ramblers have extended the all-time match history to 0-2 over the Minutemen.
This game seemed to be in favor of Loyola Chicago for most of the game. UMass was without Matt Cross for the second consecutive game, and it showed greatly when came to rebounding. Jaylen Curry nailed a deep three-pointer at the end of the first half that cut the deficit for the Minutemen to three points. There were thirteen lead changes and seven different ties in the game. UMass found themselves up by three points with 2:14 left to go in regulation (the Minutemen’s largest lead of the game), and it came down to who could make free throws. The Ramblers tied the game with 1.1 left to go with a put-back basket made by Philip Alston. Alston was fouled going back up with the shot that would tie the game by Daniel Hankins-Sanford. Alston made what would be the game-winning free throw after Curry missed the half-court heave to try to win the game for the Minutemen.
The Minutemen had two different players score in double figures on Wednesday night. Josh Cohen had 28 points and 8 rebounds, and Curry earned another new career-high of 18 points to round out all scorers in double digits. Rahsool Diggins and Jayden Ndjigue both had 8 points, Daniel Hankins-Sanford had 6 points, and Robert Davis Jr. and Keon Thompson each had 5 points to round out all scorers for UMass.
The Ramblers had two different players in double figures on Wednesday night. Alston led the way with 23 points, and Des Watson had 15 points rounding out scorers in double digits. Braden Norris and Greg Dolan each had 8 points, Miles Rubin and Jayden Dawson each had 7 points, Jalen Quinn had 5 points, and Dame Adelekun and Patrick Mwamba each had 3 points to round out all scorers for Loyola Chicago.
Loyola Chicago travels to Rose Hill Gym to face the Fordham Rams (8-9, 2-2 A-10) on Saturday, January 20th at 1pm ET. This will be the fourth time that these two teams meet, and the Rams have a 2-1 lead over the Ramblers.
UMass will return to the Mullins Center and host the George Washington Revolutionaries (14-3, 3-1 A-10) on Saturday at 12pm. This will be the 77th meeting between these two teams, and the Revolutionaries have a 46-30 lead over the Minutemen in the all-time series history.
Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball Scoreboard:
- Monday, January 15th
- The George Washington Revolutionaries (14-3, 3-1) defeated the George Mason Patriots (13-5, 2-3).
- The Saint Joseph’s Hawks (11-6, 1-3) defeated the La Salle Explorers (10-8, 1-4) 82-62.
- Tuesday, January 16th
- The Richmond Spiders (12-5, 4-0) narrowly defeated the Duquesne Dukes (9-7, 0-4) 63-61.
- The Dayton Flyers (14-2, 4-0) defeated the Saint Louis Billikens (8-9, 1-3) 70-65.
- Wednesday, January 17th
- The Loyola Chicago Ramblers (12-6, 4-1) defeated the Massachusetts Minutemen (12-6, 2-3) 79-78.
- The Davidson Wildcats (11-7, 1-3) defeated the Fordham Rams (8-9, 2-2) 79-69.
- The Saint Bonaventure Bonnies (11-5, 2-2) defeated the Rhode Island Rams (9-8, 3-1) 99-64.
Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball Upcoming Schedule:
- Friday, January 19th
- Saint Louis Billikens (8-9, 1-3) at Virginia Commonwealth University Rams (10-7, 2-2) at 7pm on ESPN2.
- Saturday, January 20th
- George Washington Revolutionaries (14-3, 3-1) at Massachusetts Minutemen (11-6, 2-3) at 12pm on NESN/ESPN+.
- Rhode Island Rams (9-8, 3-1) at Dayton Flyers (14-2, 4-0) at 12:30pm on USA Network.
- Loyola Chicago Ramblers (12-6, 4-1) at Fordham Rams (8-9, 2-2) at 1pm on SNY/ESPN+.
- Saint Bonaventure Bonnies (11-5, 2-2) at George Mason Patriots (13-5, 2-3) at 2pm on ESPN+.
- Duquesne Dukes (9-7, 0-4) at Saint Joseph’s Hawks (11-6, 1-3) at 2:30pm on USA Network.
- Richmond Spiders (12-5, 4-0) at Davidson Wildcats (11-7, 1-3) at 4pm on ESPN+.
Featured Image: Chris Tucci, UMass Athletics
Kaily “KG” Godek is a current student at Western New England University (WNE). She has been a supporter of UMass Athletics for over 15 years. Kaily focuses on both UMass Basketball teams and occasionally on the other Women’s Basketball teams in the conference. While writing for A10 Talk, she works in the athletic department at WNE. When she graduates from WNE she wants to go into Sports Broadcasting and Journalism. You can follow Kaily on X, formerly known as Twitter, @kgumass23.
