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.
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)
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