Loyola Chicago secured a pivotal 76-72 win against Dayton in a high-stakes Atlantic 10 Conference clash Friday night. Des Watson dominated with 22 points and five rebounds, cementing his role as the Ramblers' offensive engine during this critical conference matchup.
Miles Rubin delivered a standout two-way performance, contributing 14 points and four blocks. Jalen Quinn added 11 points, while Nate Santos' late-game heroics nearly rallied Dayton before falling short. The Flyers' Enoch Cheeks posted 16 points and seven rebounds in the losing effort.
The game remained tense throughout, with Loyola Chicago clinging to a 34-31 halftime lead. Key moments included:
- Rubin's nine first-half points establishing early momentum
- Santos' seven-point surge in the final minutes
- Dayton's 42% three-point shooting keeping pressure on the Ramblers
This victory strengthens Loyola Chicago's conference standing (9-5 A-10) while dealing a blow to Dayton's postseason aspirations. Both teams face crucial Wednesday matchups:
Every conference game now carries tournament implications,said Atlantic 10 analyst Mark Johnson. These final regular-season contests will determine seeding and bubble chances.
With the Atlantic 10 Tournament approaching, Loyola Chicago hosts George Washington while Dayton visits Rhode Island. Both teams must address defensive consistency issues revealed in this back-and-forth battle.