Rhode Island Starters
Thomas, House, Lawrence, Diboundje, Brown

Loyola Chicago Starters 
Watson, Dawson, Quinn, DeLoach, Rubin

How it Happened
A severely undermanned Rhode Island squad battled, but in the end Loyola Chicago was able to outlast the Rams, winning 81-77 Wednesday night.

Rhode Island (13-4, 2-3 Atlantic 10) lost guards Quentin Diboundje and Jamarques Lawrence to ankle injuries early in the first half. Diboundje was lost six minutes into the game. Moments later. Lawrence hit a 3-pointer to tie the game at 16-16 with 12:24 in the half, but he tripped near the Rambler bench and was also lost for the rest of the half.

Loyola Chicago (11-6, 3-2 A-10) took advantage of the undermanned Rhody lineup. Over the next seven minutes, the Ramblers built a 10-point lead after a fastbreak dunk by Francis Nwaokorie made the score 34-24. From there, Rhode Island outscored the hosts 15-4. Cam Estevez and Sebastian Thomas each scored five points and David Fuchs added four during the run. A Fuchs turnaround jumper in the paint at the buzzer sent Rhody into the break with a 39-38 lead.

A Nwaokorie 3-pointer tied the score at 63-63 with six minutes to go, and Jalen DeLoach followed with a steal and dunk to put the Ramblers ahead, 66-63. The teams traded points from there, but Rhode Island was never able to tie the score again. URI got the score down to a one-point game four times over the final 4:22, but Loyola Chicago had an answer every time and managed to hold on for the win.

Inside the Box Score

• The game featured 17 led changes and eight ties.
• Point guard Sebastian Thomas led Rhody with 20 points, six assists and three rebounds
• His run of 20-point games is up to seven in a row.
• Center Javonte Brown had 16 points and five rebounds.
• Guard Cam Estevez matched his season high with 15 points to go with three rebounds and two assists.
• Forward David Fuchs returned after missing two games with a minor injury. He had eight points and 10 rebounds.
• Guard Jamarques Lawrence had nine points in one of the gutsiest performances by a URI player in some time.
• He had five points and two assists in eight minutes before leaving for the rest of the first half with an injury. He returned in the second half to give the team some inspired minutes 12 minutes despite the injury.
• Forward Drissa Traore had five rebounds and three assists.
• Guard Quentin Diboundje made his first start of the season, but was lost for the game with a foot injury just six minutes in.
• Rhode Island was without forward David Green (shoulder) for the third straight game. Forward Tyonne Farrell (foot) missed his first game.

Up Next
Rhode Island returns to the Ryan Center to host Davidson on Saturday, Jan. 18. Game time is 2 p.m. on ESPN+.