BREAKING: (11) LOYOLA-CHICAGO KNOCKS OFF (7) NEVADA 69-68 - ADVANCES TO ELITE 8!
The Ramblers did it again! The lowest remaining seed left in the Tournament, 11-seed Loyola-Chicago is on to the Elite Eight for the first time since winning it all back in 1963. IL-C got off to a slow start in this one falling behind 12-4 out of the gates and trailing by as many as 12 early in the first half.
They came 'Rambling' back though to finish the first half on a 12-0 run and rally from a 24-16 deficit to take a 28-24 lead into the locker room. The Wolf Pack got off to a quick start and were pushing the pace early and getting Loyola-Chicago to play their style of game. The Ramblers seemed to be confused and a touch lost on defense and they had a couple of bad turnovers that Nevada turned into points as well. It was a quick start, but as Loyola-Chicago settled in, they began to stiffen and play stingy defense, and NU began to settle for forced 3-point jump shots.
The second half started much like the first half ended as Loyola-Chicago came out on fire and made their first 10 shots from the field. After the initial onslaught pushed the lead out to as many as 12, Nevada started to do what Nevada has done best in this tournament and they turned up the intensity to mount a serious comeback. The new "comeback kids" rallied from a 14-point second half deficit to 10-seed Texas in the opening round to advance, and then came back from 22 down to shock 2-seed Cincinnati and advance to the Sweet Sixteen.
At about the 8:30-minute mark, Nevada began to rally and hit some clutch shots. Caleb Martin was a beast all game long and hit clutch shot after clutch shot down the stretch. He finished the game with 21 points, going 5 for 11 from long range, including a pair of crucial 3's in the final minutes to keep the Wolf Pack right there. After clawing their way back to tie it up with 4:00 minutes to go, the Wolf Pack couldn't get the one more stop they needed to take the lead.
Loyola-Chicago was able to take a 1 point lead into the 1:00 minute mark and after Nevada converted a pair of free throws to keep it a 1-point game with :36.1 seconds left, the Ramblers worked the shot clock all the way down and got what proved to be the difference-maker when guard Marques Townes hit his second three of the game with just over :06 seconds to go. The massive clutch shot pushed the Ramblers' lead to 4 and after Martin once again hit another 3 with just under 2 seconds to go, the Wolf Pack were back within 1. However, Nevada had two fouls to give before Loyola was in the bonus and the clock ran out before they could send the Ramblers to the foul line.
Townes finished with a team-high 18 points to lead Loyola-Chicago. They also got 15 points from last game's hero, Clayton Custer, and they got a big boost from Aundre Jackson and his 15 points off the bench. Cody Martin, Caleb's twin added 16 points for the Wolf Pack who also got a big contribution from Jordan Caroline and his 19 points and 6 rebounds.
The Ramblers keep their incredible run going and will await the winner of tonight's matchup between 9-seed Kansas State and 5-seed Kentucky in the Elite Eight with a Final Four berth on the line.
Nevada has had a few nail biter games in recent times.
I think they are the only NCAA team that is capable of huge come back while being down late in the second half.
Too bad their streak stopped here. Honestly, I think most people were comfortable with either team winning because of the underdog hype.
I agree 100% on all three of your points - it was fun to watch Nevada in this tournament - and like you said I was fine with the winner of that game either way because of the underdog factor
What a game.
Also loved the second game.
This region has been fun to watch.
Thank you for the great summary
Right! That was a heck of a game and I totally I agree I loved that second game too. What a region - with a 9-seed and 11-seed either heading to the Final Four - who would've thought that?! You're welcome, glad you enjoyed it!