Dawson contributes 26 points in Loyola Chicago’s 78-69 victory over Saint Louis.

CHICAGO — Jayden Dawson showcased an impressive performance, contributing 26 points as Loyola Chicago triumphed over Saint Louis with a score of 78-69 on Friday night.

Dawson also made his presence felt defensively with three blocks during the game, helping the Ramblers improve their record to 16-9 overall and 7-5 within the Atlantic 10 Conference. Alongside him, Sheldon Edwards made a notable impact, shooting 5 for 7 from the field, including 4 for 6 from beyond the arc, and went 3 of 3 from the free-throw line, finishing with 17 points. Des Watson played a significant role as well, scoring 14 points while connecting on 4 of 11 attempts, including two 3-pointers, and converting all four of his free throw attempts.

On the opposing side, Gibson Jimerson emerged as the top scorer for the Billikens, netting 20 points. Robbie Avila delivered a solid all-around performance with 19 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists, while Kobe Johnson added 14 points to the team’s tally.

Dawson’s strong first-half showing included 14 points, though Loyola Chicago entered halftime down by two points, with the score at 37-35. In a crucial moment, Edwards secured the game by scoring the final six points for the Ramblers, enabling them to clinch the victory by a comfortable nine-point margin.

Loyola Chicago will look to maintain their momentum in their next matchup against Davidson on the road this coming Tuesday, while Saint Louis is set to host Rhode Island on Saturday.