Chicago St defeats Loyola Chicago 75-84

Chicago St Edges Loyola Chicago in Thrilling Non-Conference Matchup

The visiting Chicago St. men's basketball team outlasted the Loyola Chicago Rams at Gentile Arena, capturing an 84-75 victory in a tightly contested non-conference matchup.

As the game tipped off, it became clear that both teams were determined to come out on top. At halftime, the away team led by just one point, with Chicago St. boasting a 35-28 edge in scoring.

However, Loyola Chicago's defense stiffened in the second half, and the home team began to pull away. Despite trailing by as many as nine points at one juncture, the Rams remained resilient, ultimately falling short of their comeback attempt.

The difference-maker for Chicago St. was its ability to contain Loyola's top scorer, Xavier Amos. The sophomore star put up 18 points but struggled with his three-point shot, making just four of 12 attempts from beyond the arc.

On the other hand, Doyel Cockrill III led the charge for Chicago St., scoring 22 points on 44.4% shooting from the field. His counterpart, CJ Ray, also chipped in with 19 points and nine rebounds.

The advanced statistics paint a more nuanced picture of the game. Loyola Chicago's eFG% dipped to 45.5%, while Chicago St.'s rate ticked up to 45.3%. Conversely, the away team outperformed their opponents by 11 percentage points in terms of OREB%.

This win marks a significant triumph for Chicago St., which now boasts a 6-4 record on the season. The victory over Loyola Chicago serves as a testament to the program's growing strength and depth.

In related news, both teams will look to bounce back from this loss when they resume play next week.