Loyola Continues The Run To The Elite Eight

Sister Jean, you beautiful lucky charm you. What an awesome game yet again with these two teams in the NCAA Tournament. Loyola used one of the best starts to a second half to beat Nevada 69-68. The Ramblers started the second half 13-for-13 to push the lead up to double digits before holding off yet another Nevada run.

That’s exactly what this game was. It was based all on runs. Nevada started the game looking like it was going to run Loyola out of the gym. Then, Loyola’s defense combined with Nevada’s ISO offense started to happen. Loyola forced Nevada into strictly an ISO set on offense. More importantly, Loyola stopped the ball during that time, forcing Nevada into 1v2 sets essentially as the Loyola helpside defense was in perfect position.

On the other side of the ball, Nevada couldn’t stop Loyola, especially at the rim. Loyola did an absolute awesome job of using the rim for protection while going up for layups. Despite giving up some size, Loyola would attack the rim, go up and shield the ball with the rim. It was incredibly fun to watch in that sense. However, they didn’t do anything crazy on offense. Nevada was flat out atrocious defensively, especially when Caroline and Cody Martin both picked up two fouls in the first half.

Nevada went on another run to tie the game and then Loyola used that magic it seems to have this tournament. With six seconds to go and practically 0 on the shot clock, Marques Townes hit a three to push the lead to four. That was ultimately the dagger and summed up the Loyola NCAA Tournament run so far.

Loyola moves on to play the winner of Kentucky/Kansas State for a trip to the Final Four.