Rhode Island Starters
Kortright, House, Weston, Green, Fuchs

Loyola Chicago Starters
Watson, Norris, Edwards, Alston, Rubin 

How it Happened
Rhode Island kept the game in contention, but ultimately fell 77-67 to the Loyola Chicago Ramblers on Sunday afternoon at The Ryan Center. 

After a back-and-forth first half, the Ramblers led for the entirety of the closing 20 minutes to put the game away. A sluggish start to the second half allowed the visitors to stretch their lead to as much as 13 and Rhode Island (11-14, 5-7 Atlantic 10) was never able to recover. 

The Rams started off the game with momentum, leading from the opening tip until a 12-2 run put Loyola Chicago (19-7, 11-2 A-10) ahead with just under 10 minutes to go. A layup from Brandon Weston later knotted things up at 29-29 with 3:11 on the clock, but the Ramblers went on to take a 35-29 lead into the break. 

Loyola kicked off the second half with a quick six points, distancing themselves further from Rhody. The home team clawed its way back, eventually cutting the lead down to six (51-45) when Brandon Weston made a layup and completed the three-point play at the free throw line with 12 minutes left in the game. Zek Montgomery added a basket just a minute later but it was the closest the Rams got as the Ramblers regained a sizeable advantage and held on. 

A last-minute three from Des Watson handed Loyola Chicago its final 10-point edge as the clock wound down. 

Inside the Box Score

• Guard Brandon Weston led the Rams with 15 points, just two shy of his career high. He matched his personal best in rebounds with six and dished out three assists.
• Both he and guard Cam Estevez were nearly perfect from the free throw line, as Weston shot 5-of-6 and Estevez finished 3-for-4. 
• He was joined in the double digits by guard Jaden House (14 points) and forward David Fuchs (13 points). 
• Rhode Island turned the ball over just eight times, tying its second-lowest of the season. 
• Guard Zek Montgomery recorded a career-high three blocks. 
• The Ramblers had a stark advantage on the glass at 43-28. Rhode Island tied its effort from the game against Washington State (Nov. 19) for a season-low. 
• In the first half, the lead was split fairly evenly between the teams at about eight minutes per side. Loyola Chicago went on to finish by leading by 28:24 in total. 
• Both sides scored 40 points in the paint. 
• The Ramblers entered the day with a five-game win streak and stretched it to six in the second meeting between the two programs. A year ago, Rhody dug out a 79-77 win in Chicago. 

What's Next
The Rams will continue their home swing with a game against Richmond on Wednesday, Feb. 21. The action will tip at 7 p.m. and be streamed on ESPN+.