CHICAGO, Ill. (January 4, 2023)
 
In Short…
Loyola University Chicago (6-8, 0-2 A10) was unable to overcome a key second-half run by Davidson (9-6, 2-1) Wednesday (Jan. 4) evening, falling by a 80-57 final on the road. Bryce Golden had his second consecutive game in double figures, matching his Loyola best with 13 points while Philip Alston finished with 12.
 
How It Happened
It was a defensive battle early on, with a combined seven turnovers in the first 4:19 of the game. Buckets by Ben Schwieger and Bryce Golden, paired with a free throw from Philip Alston, had the Ramblers within three of Davidson at the first media timeout.
 
The Wildcats' next five points would come from the free throw line, helping the hosts build a 16-8 lead with 13:18 remaining in the half before Welch ended the 10-2 Davidson run with a layup. Braden Norris drilled a three to get in the scoring column to pull Loyola within six at 20-14 before both teams went cold from the field. Neither squad would score for the next 2:40 of game action until a Davidson bucket ended the scoring drought.
 
Loyola's offense started to find its rhythm, scoring six unanswered points to get within a pair at 26-24 at the final media timeout of the first half. Schwieger started the run with a turnaround jumper, Marquise Kennedy followed with a floater and Alston converted a pair at the line.
 
A pair of key 3-pointers by Schwieger and Alston pulled Loyola within one but two Davidson free throws in the closing seconds gave the Wildcats a 3-point halftime lead.
 
Coming off a Loyola personal-best 13 points last time out, Golden kept the hot shooting going by scoring the Ramblers' first five points of the second half to give him 11 for the game and put Loyola within a pair at the 17:35 mark of the second half.
 
Davidson responded with a pivotal 20-7 run to pull away. Over the span of six minutes and 44 seconds, the Wildcats were 8-for-11 from the field while limiting Loyola to just 3-for-7 shooting to build a 59-44 lead at the midway point of the half. Loyola was unable to get within striking range for the remainder of the contest.
 
Inside The Box Score

• Golden reached double figures for the third time this season and second in as many games with his team-high 13 points.
• Philip Alston led the rebounding effort with six, including three on the offensive glass, while Golden and Schwieger added five each.
• The Ramblers were unable to overcome the 67.9% shooting by Davidson in the second half of play. The Wildcats were 19-of-28 from the field and 8-for-9 from the free throw line in the final 20 minutes of action.

Up Next
Loyola concludes its two-game roadtrip on Saturday, Jan. 7, when the Ramblers take on George Mason in Fairfax, Virginia. Tip-off on ESPN+ is set for 1 p.m. (CT).