CHICAGO — Des Watson led the Loyola Chicago Ramblers to a thrilling 74-72 victory against South Florida on Saturday, contributing 14 points and hitting a crucial 3-pointer with just 32 seconds left in the game.

Despite a challenging shooting performance, Watson finished the game with a shooting line of 3 for 15 (including 2 for 8 from beyond the arc) and managed to sink 6 of 8 free throws. Teammate Kymany Houinsou also played a significant role, tallying 12 points on 5 of 7 shooting, along with seven rebounds and five assists. Jalen Quinn matched Houinsou’s scoring output with 12 points, going 4 of 8 from the field and maintaining a perfect record at the free-throw line with 4 out of 4.

With this victory, the Ramblers improved their season record to 8-0, marking an impressive eight-game winning streak for the team.

On the other side of the court, the South Florida Bulls (5-4) were led by Jayden Reid, who delivered an outstanding performance with 23 points, seven rebounds, and four assists. Kasen Jennings contributed 13 points, while Jamille Reynolds added 12 points and completed a double-double with 11 rebounds and four assists.

In the first half, Justin Moore contributed six points, but Loyola Chicago entered halftime with a narrow deficit at 38-35. Watson emerged as a key player in the second half, scoring a team-high nine points, including the game-winning shot that sealed the win in the closing moments.

Looking ahead, Loyola Chicago is set to host San Francisco on Sunday, while South Florida will travel to face Utah State next Saturday.