CONWAY, S.C. (November 20, 2022)
 
In Short…
Philip Alston poured in a game-high 16 points, but No. 24 Texas A&M (3-2) proved too much for Loyola University Chicago (2-3), dealing the Ramblers a 67-51 defeat this evening in the final game for both teams at the Myrtle Beach Invitational at the HTC Center in Conway, S.C.
 
How It Happened
Much like in Friday's matchup with Boise State, Saint Thomas hoped to provide an early spark for the Maroon & Gold, finishing on a put back off an Aggies' block as he converted a conventional three-point play to put the Ramblers up, 3-0, with 55 seconds gone.  Jayden Dawson continued his hot shooting from outside, connecting on a corner triple just under four minutes later that gave Loyola a 7-5 edge.
 
Texas A&M took advantage of a lengthy drought from the field for the Maroon & Gold, building an 18-10 edge before Alston connected from deep to make it 18-13 at the 8:53 mark.  Ben Schwieger looked to provide a spark, finishing inside on two separate occasions, the second of which saw him battle through contact to cut the gap to 26-22 with 4:05 remaining.  Loyola would go cold from then on, as the Aggies finished the half on a 7-0 run to charge into halftime with a 33-22 lead.
 
Braden Norris drilled his first three of the night just under three minutes into the second stanza, trimming the Aggies' lead to 35-27.  Texas A&M countered with a 9-0 surge, opening up a 44-27 edge following a Henry Coleman III layup with 14:57 to play.
 
After seeing the deficit reach 53-32, treys from Norris and Schweiger, respectively, saw Loyola pull within 53-38 at the 6:20 mark.  Texas A&M put away any hopes of a late rally, with buckets from Julius Marble and Wade Taylor IV extending the margin to 57-38 as the Aggies coasted to the final horn.
 
Inside The Box Score
- Alston closed his night just shy of a double-double, finishing with 16 points (4-8 FGs, 1-2 3FGs, 7-10 FGs) and nine rebounds in addition to a block and two steals.
- Dawson added nine points (3-5 FGs, 3-4 3FGS), all of which came from beyond the three-point arc.
- Schweiger (3-7 FGs, 1-4 3FGs, 1-5 FTs) and Marquise Kennedy (2-7 FGs, 1-3 3FGs, 3-6 FTs) finished with eight points apiece.
- Loyola committed 27 turnovers that resulted in 26 points for Texas A&M.
- Coleman III led the Aggies with 13 points (4-7 FGs, 5-6 FTs).
 
Up Next
Loyola wraps up a stretch of five straight games away from Gentile Arena on Friday, November 25 when it visits Harvard for a 1 p.m. (CT) tip-off inside Lavietes Pavilion in Cambridge, Mass.