Are You Kidding Me? Elite Ramblers!

The Ramblers are Elite!

(St. Louis, MO) – Let that sink in. Loyola Chicago is playing in Saturday’s Elite Eight game in Atlanta. Porter Moser’s team (31-5) has won 13 straight games and their three NCAA Tournament victories have come by a total four points. Let that sink in too! Thursday’s final was 69-68.

Just over six minutes into the Sweet Sixteen game against Nevada the Ramblers found themselves down 20-8. Moser had already spent an early time out when they were down 12-4, and he was imploring his team to communicate better on defense and they would be fine. He was correct.

The Ramblers went on a 20-4 run (fueled by nine Marques Townes points) over those final 13 (plus) minutes and led 28-24 at the half.

Then it got even better.

The Ramblers opened the second half on a 12-4 run and extended the lead to 40-28. Five of those six second half field goals were lay ups or dunks, as Loyola’s offense shredded Nevada’s defense. With 7:47 left the Ramblers led by ten (57-47), but those of us that have watched the Wolf Pack play when they are behind, knew they had a come-back inside of them.

Energized by six Cody Martin points, Nevada tied the game at 59 with 4:06 to play.

Then it was Aundre Jackson’s turn. The under-sized senior center who struggled getting his shot off against the taller Wolf Pack defenders in the first half, scored seven points in the final four minutes, setting the stage for one more heroic basket.

Thursday’s game winning score was made by Townes. His three-pointer with six seconds left, made it a four point game and even a late triple by Caleb Martin created the final 69-68 victory margin for the Ramblers.

Valley player of the year Clayton Custer assisted on the game winner and he says he and high school teammate Ben Richardson are still amazed at what they are sharing.

“We’ll look at each other and say ‘wow, we’re really doing this together,'” said Custer. “We couldn’t be happier, doing this together. It’s like a dream come true.”

Moser says his team is excited, but they are hungry for more.

“They don’t quit, they’re resilient,” said Moser. “It’s different guys, different nights. It’s been this way all year long. The unselfishness, you heard them say, the first two nights ‘it could have been anyone of us’ and they believe it and I am proud of them.”

Townes says the final push just revealed the character of the team.

“It’s time to lock in and try to get stops and make plays on offense,” said Townes. “Like I’ve said all year, this team never quits. We’re such a resilient team. We made some big shots and we were fortunate to get the win in the end.”

For the first time in the history of the NCAA Tournament, a nine seed (Kansas State) will play an eleven seed (Loyola) in an Elite Eight game.

Moser finished the press conference referencing the fact that seven of his players won state titles in high school and how they have the ‘winning gene’. So the Ramblers have Sister Jean and the Winning Gene.

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