KINGSTON, R.I. – Dame Adelekun and Philip Alston dropped 21 points each, helping Loyola Chicago to its sixth consecutive win at Rhode Island, 77-67. Adelekun went 9-of-11 from the field, while Alston crashed the boards for his first double-double of the year, grabbing 10 boards.
 
The Ramblers improve to 19-7 overall and 11-2 in the Atlantic 10.

"This group is just resilient," said head coach Drew Valentine. "We kept staying at it. I think we picked up our offensive pace and execution regardless of makes and misses. Our two bigs dominated the game inside. We talk about bringing our hardhat when we have to play with that urgency and toughness. We won this game with toughness and our execution."
 
How It Happened
The Rams jumped ahead 4-0 in the first two minutes and were able to extend the lead to seven by the 12:31 mark going up 16-9 on five straight points from David Green. Adelekun's spark off the bench ignited a 12-2 run, ultimately ending in a three-point edge for the Ramblers. In the stretch, Adelekun and Alston combined for nine points, while Des Watson hit a three.
 
Rhode Island managed to tie the game 29-29 on a layup inside by Brandon Weston with 3:11 left in the half, but Loyola went on a 6-0 run to close the half on a Tom Welch alleyoop feed from Braden Norris. The Ramblers led at the break, 35-29.
 
Straight out of the break, the Rams got within one of the Ramblers, but Edwards hit two consecutive threes, leading Loyola on a 13-2 run. Adelekun scored the final four points of the stretch, giving Loyola their largest lead yet at 13. URI had an 11-2 answer to get back within four by the 11:27 mark.
 
It was the closest Rhode Island could get in the final 10 minutes. Adelekun converted another three-point play with 5:35 on the clock, extending the lead back to double-figures, 64-52. Alston scored four straight from the line near the four-minute mark for a 13-point edge, while Norris sunk a three at 2:52 to keep the lead at 13. Despite late effort from the Rams, Loyola held on to win, 77-67.
 
Inside the Box Score
- Adelekun's 21 points marks his second 20-point performance of the season. He was one point shy of matching his season-high.
- Adelekun finished with six rebounds, three assists, three steals and five blocks.
- His five blocks is a career-high and is the second Rambler to tally five in a game this year.
- Alston's 21 points is his fourth 20-point performance this season. He finished 9-of-10 at the line.
- Alston recorded his first double-double of the season with 10 rebounds. He grabbed six off the offensive glass.
- Edwards also finished in double-figures with 10 points. He tallied a season-best five rebounds.
- Norris dished out a season-high eight assists, tallying more than half the team's 15.
- The Ramblers dominated the rebounding battle, 43-28. They brought down 11 offensive rebounds.
 
Up Next
Loyola gets a mid-week break before returning to action next weekend. The Ramblers host George Mason on Saturday, Feb. 24 at 3:30 p.m.