CHICAGO — In a thrilling encounter on Monday night, Loyola Chicago triumphed over Chicago State with a score of 79-72, largely thanks to Jayden Dawson’s impressive contribution of 20 points.

Dawson’s performance included 7 successful shots out of 17 attempts from the field, with 3 of those coming from beyond the arc as he connected on 3 out of 9 three-point tries. He also added 3 points from the free-throw line, making 3 out of 5 attempts. Des Watson offered solid support, scoring 14 points with a shooting line of 4 for 14 overall and 1 for 6 from three-point land, while also contributing eight rebounds. Additionally, Justin Moore chipped in with 14 points, hitting 5 of his 8 shots from the field and going 3 for 5 at the foul line.

For Chicago State, Gabe Spinelli emerged as the leading scorer with 13 points, while Cameron Jernigan and Saxby Sunderland each added to the scoreboard with 11 points. Jernigan also grabbed six rebounds, and Sunderland not only scored but also provided five assists and secured two steals during the game.

Loyola Chicago entered the halftime break with a narrow lead of 37-35, powered by Dawson’s stellar first half where he tallied 11 points. The key moment came early in the second half when Moore’s layup gave the Ramblers the lead, which they would not relinquish for the remainder of the contest.

The game showcased both teams’ fighting spirit, but Loyola Chicago’s ability to maintain their lead solidified their victory as they transitioned into the latter stages of the match. With this win, the Ramblers were able to further establish their competitive standing in the season.