They Have Been Here Before

Loyola Defeats Georgia Tech

(St. Louis, MO) – Loyola Chicago struggled early but senior Lucas Williamson led his team to victory. His play, leadership and attitude reminded his teammates they have been here before. LUC defeated Georgia Tech 71-60.

Down by ten points with just over six minutes gone in the game, coach Porter Moser called a timeout. The Ramblers would outscore Georgia Tech 27-12 the rest of the half. Moser reminded his team to simply ‘stack good possessions’. He wasn’t worried about outcomes, but about putting together good possessions on each end of the floor.

Williamson scored a season-high 21 points while converting four of his seven three-point attempts. The senior was a vocal and active leader all game long. Moser termed Williamson’s leadership during Friday’s game as ‘loud’.

They Have Been Here Before

Williamson and Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year Cameron Krutwig played significant roles during LUC’s 2018 Final Four team and have been roommates for their entire Rambler career. During their four seasons together, they’ve won three conference championships, two Missouri Valley Conference tournament championships and they’ve earned FIVE NCAA TOURNAMENT GAME VICTORIES. The roommates are 5-and-1 in the Big Dance.

Williamson takes pride in the legacy he and Krutwig hope to leave at Loyola. Here is our interview from 13 months ago. 

Krutwig scored ten points. Braden Norris (16 points) and Keith Clemons (12) also reached double figures. All of Clemons’ points came during the pivotal second half. Marquise Kennedy came off the bench to grab four offensive rebounds and changed the complexion of that first half. Norris finished with eight assists.

Williamson said Kennedy’s contribution was expected, saying he’s a great player and would start and potentially be an all-league player for any other Missouri Valley team.

Inside the Game

With 11:26 to go the game was tied for the only time other than at the tip. Ninety seconds later Loyola led by seven. Williamson canned a triple, Aher Uguak (who red-shirted in 2018) scored on an alley-oop dunk (from Norris) and a driving layup by Williamson changed the game. Georgia Tech would never get closer than three points.

LUC won the rebounding battle (30 to 17), grabbing 13 on the offensive end. Porter Moser knew the Yellow Jackets would play with a smaller lineup and told his team to crash the offensive window. The efficient Ramblers handed out 18 assists on 25 made field goals and committed 11 turnovers.

2018 Comparisons

They have been here before, but the nine-point victory was the second largest margin of victory of their past five Tournament wins. There were no last second shots needed (see Donte Ingram, Marques Townes and Clayton Custer highlights). While earning a Final Four trip LUC defeated Miami, Tennessee and Nevada by a total of four points. Their Elite Eight win over Kansas State was a 12-point decision.

The Missouri Valley now has earned three wins in elven NCAA Tournament games with teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference. LUC owns two of those victories by defeating Miami in 2018 and Georgia Tech Friday.

Moser’s squad plays top seeded Illinois on Sunday. The Fighting Illini handled Drexel 78-49. Williamson says he’s looking forward to taking on the Big Ten powerhouse and his childhood friend Ayo Dosunmo. The two Chicago natives have played with and against one another in the past. They have been here before.

The time has yet to be determined. Visit loyolaramblers.com for the latest information on that start time.

Do Good

 

Editor: Feature photo courtesy of 2021 NCAA Photos