RICHMOND – Loyola Chicago held a three-point lead at halftime before VCU's Joe Bamisile heated up in the second to help the Rams rally and win, 74-67. Dame Adelekun led the Ramblers with 14 points, while Miles Rubin recorded his first career double-double with 11 points and 10 boards.
 
Loyola falls to 13-7 overall and 5-2 in the A10.
 
"I've got to give VCU a ton of credit. They're obviously very well coached," said head coach Drew Valentine. "Our group is as talented as any, but there was too much reverting back to what hurt us earlier in the year. These are great guys and they compete hard, but they need to trust what we do and execute the game plan."
 
How It Happened
Rubin made an impact out of the jump ball, netting Loyola's first four points of the game for two early leads, but the Rams matched him point for points and built a lead of seven by the 13:29 mark. The Ramblers started to make a dent in the VCU lead getting within three just under the 11-minute mark on Philip Alston's drive to the basket.
 
Adelekun then went to scoring the first six points of a 10-0 run by the Ramblers. He tied it inside at 6:47 and then took the lead at 6:14. By the 2:29 mark, Des Watson and Braden Norris helped Loyola build its lead to six.
 
VCU was held without a field goal for nearly the final eight minutes before Joe Bamisile hit a buzzer beater at the half. Loyola held onto the lead at the break, 36-33.
 
By the 12-minute media timeout, the second half saw seven lead changes as the Ramblers and Rams battled. Greg Dolan and Rubin combined for four unanswered to take a 49-48 edge before Fermin responded with a dunk on the other end ahead of the timeout.
 
With under seven to go, Kuany drained a three to spark a 13-1 run for the Rams. He led VCU to its first double-digit lead of the game at the 3:41 mark with a four-point play to put them up by 12.
 
Late in the second, Loyola put together an 8-0 stretch beginning with a three from Jayden Dawson at 3:33. The Ramblers would fight to get back within four with free throws from Adelekun and Norris under the two-minute mark. Despite the late effort, it was the closest Loyola could get in the final minutes. VCU came away winning, 74-67.
 
Inside the Box Score
- Rubin's double-double was the second recorded by a Rambler this season and first of his career. He added three blocks.
- Adelekun's 14 points was his second consecutive game with at least 10.
- Dawson added 12 points for his second straight double-figure performance.
- Norris grabbed seven boards and tallied four assists.
- The Ramblers led in the paint, 38-28. 

Up Next
The Ramblers will take the rest of the week off from competition and return to their home court next week. Loyola and Saint Louis are set for a 7 p.m. rematch on Tuesday, Jan. 30 inside Gentile Arena.