Loyola Chicago rallies late to top Boston College

Field Level Media|published: Thu 23rd November, 15:51 2023

Nov 23, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Boston College Eagles forward Devin McGlockton (21) tries to get around Loyola (Il) Ramblers guard Jalen Quinn (2) during the first half at T-Mobile Center. credits: William Purnell-USA TODAY Sports

Braden Norris finished with 20 points and Loyola Chicago overcame a nine-point deficit in the final four minutes of regulation to beat Boston College 71-68 on Thursday afternoon in the consolation game of the Hall of Fame Classic in Kansas City, Mo.

The Ramblers (3-3) trailed 66-57 with 3:53 remaining after a pair of free throws from Jaeden Zackery capped an 11-2 run by the Eagles.

But Miles Rubin followed with a layup, igniting a string of 13 unanswered points by Loyola Chicago, which found itself ahead 70-66 with just 19 seconds to go.

Devin McGlockton's layup made it 70-68, but Norris split a pair of free throws with 8 seconds left to polish off the victory.

Quinten Post got a good look at a potential game-tying 3-pointer after Norris' trip to the charity stripe, but his shot from the corner clanged off the back rim.

Norris added seven rebounds for the Ramblers, who also got 14 points from Jayden Dawson.

Post netted game-highs with 25 points and nine boards for Boston College (4-2), which has dropped back-to-back contests after a season-opening four-game winning streak. McGlockton chipped in 13 points.

Loyola Chicago didn't trail for the first nine-plus minutes of the second half, but then the Eagles took over.

After Chas Kelley III tied things at 49-all with a 3, Post scored down low to give Boston College a 51-49 lead with 10:12 left. Dawson soon sandwiched a pair of threes around a Claudell Harris Jr. jumper to make it 55-55 before the Eagles built their nine-point lead.

Desmond Watson headlined a 7-0 spurt with a 3-pointer and a jumper as Loyola took the largest lead of the first half at 35-27.

However, Kelley's triple with 5 seconds left in the period put an end to the run and pulled the Eagles within five at the break.

Harris drilled a 3-pointer and Post made a pair of layups as Boston College raced out to a 7-2 edge with 17:46 left in the first half. The Ramblers then scored 10 of the next 12 points to go up 12-9 with 13:31 to go.

—Field Level Media