FAIRFAX, Va. – Loyola Chicago forced overtime after scoring the final seven points in regulation to tie it 49-49, but George Mason pulled away in the extra time to win, 58-53. Francis Nwaokorie led the Ramblers with 11 points.
 
Loyola falls to 12-8 overall and 3-4 in the Atlantic 10.
 
"Gotta give credit to George Mason. They're having an incredible season so far," said head coach Drew Valentine. "We're never thrilled when we lose obviously, but I felt like our competitive mindset was there tonight. It's what I've been wanting to see all year, and they didn't give up. Today's going to be a great learning moment for us moving forward."
 
How It Happened
Both the Ramblers and Patriots struggled from the field in the first half. Des Watson and Jayden Dawson connected from three-point range to jump ahead 6-2, but both teams faced scoring droughts to follow. GMU missed seven straight and snapped a six-minute scoreless stretch at the 12:22 mark, while Loyola's six-minute drought ended with a Sheldon Edwards three at the 9:39 mark.
 
The Patriots cut the lead down to one with under seven to play and took their first lead with Darius Maddox at the free throw line. Watson would get the Ramblers one more lead, while Nwaokorie tied it 15-15 with 2:19 to go. GMU responded with seven unanswered and took a 24-17 lead at the half.
 
Loyola cut the lead down to four twice in the opening six minutes. Kymany Houinsou battled through the lane, while Nwaokorie hit his second three at the 14:56 mark. The Patriots held their largest lead at eight on three separate occasions. Jared Billups had a jumper to put them up 44-36 with 7:35 on the clock.
 
The Ramblers didn't quit getting back within four with drives inside by Watson and Houinsou. Jalen DeLoach then sparked a 7-0 Rambler run to close regulation and force overtime. Houinsou drew a foul on a made bucket inside and sunk the free throw to tie it 49-49.
 
George Mason took the first lead of the overtime period, but DeLoach and Miles Rubin swung it in Loyola's favor at the free throw line for a two-point edge with 2:48 to play. The Patriots erased the progress with the final seven points of the game. The Ramblers had three attempts on one possession in the final 20 seconds to tie the game again, but the Patriots cushioned their lead at the line to win, 58-53.
 
Inside the Box Score
- Nwaokorie was the lone Rambler in double-figures with 11 points. He was 3-of-8 from the field, all from three-point range. He added three rebounds and two blocks.
- Rubin added nine points, two boards, and three blocks.
- DeLoach and Houinsou scored eight each. DeLoach grabbed seven boards.
- Dawson matched the seven boards and had a career-high seven assists, while Edwards Jr. had a team-best eight rebounds.
- Loyola shot 32.1 percent from the field (18-56). George Mason finished 34.4 percent (22-64).
 
Up Next
Loyola returns home for a rematch vs. Saint Joseph's on Feb. 1 at 1 p.m. in Gentile Arena.