NCAA Tournament 2018: Loyola-Chicago Edges Nevada 69-68 To Reach Elite Eight [VIDEO]

by Pablo MenaMarch 23, 2018, 1:08 pmDaily Digest, News, Z-Home Slider >

Loyola-Chicago continues to surprise many with its run in the NCAA Tournament, having advanced to the fourth round thanks to an upset victory over Nevada in Atlanta on Thursday.

Loyola-Chicago vs. Nevada Sweet 16 score

The No. 11-seeded Ramblers defeated the No. 7-seeded Wolf Pack (29-7) 69-68 to secure a spot in the Elite Eight. This came after Loyola-Chicago upset No. 6 Miami and No. 3 Tennessee.

Loyola-Chicago put together a 12-0 run to gain a 28-24 lead into halftime.

In the second half, Nevada doubled down on a defense that forced the Ramblers into three shot-clock violations and several other rushed scoring attempts. With 3 minutes 18 seconds remaining, Nevada tied it 59-59 when Cody Martin raced through the lane for a big layup.

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With 41 seconds left, Loyola’s Aundre Jackson drew a foul and hit both free throws to put the Ramblers up 66-63.

The Wolf Pack trimmed their deficit to one point, 66-65, but Loyola’s Marques Townes sank a 3-pointer with 6.3 seconds to go to secure the win.

“I just gave him a little shot fake, and I shot it, and it went in. It was just — that’s something you dream about,” Townes said. “You’re in the Sweet 16 and you hit a big shot like that. It’s just amazing. I’m just blessed to be in that position.”

Martin banked in a 3 with 1.4 seconds left to provide some late suspense, but by then it was too late.

One member of Loyola-Chicago’s community who was thrilled about the victory was the Ramblers’ team chaplain, Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt. The 98-year-old nun became a sensation on social media after appearing on “Good Morning America,” and revealed she was so uncertain about her team’s fate that she made two NCAA Tournament brackets: one where they won and where they lost.

Loyola-Chicago will next face No. 9 Kansas State on Saturday night. The Wildcats reached the Elite Eight by defeating No. 5 Kentucky 61-58 on Thursday.

Caption:LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 11: Winston Shepard #13 of the San Diego State Aztecs goes to the hoop against the Nevada Wolf Pack during a semifinal game of the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center on March 11, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Getty Images)