SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (Interstat) — Loyola Chicago edged Santa Clara 80-78 in a nonconference men’s basketball game Saturday at West Field House. The Ramblers, who led 40-40 at halftime, held the Broncos to 38 second-half points to secure the road win. Santa Clara, a 17.5-point favorite, saw its four-game winning streak snapped despite a late push. Loyola Chicago improved to 4-9, while Santa Clara fell to 9-4. The combined score of 158 points went over the pregame total of 151.5. An announced crowd of 350 attended the contest.

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (Interstat) — In a game defined by efficiency and a late defensive stand, Loyola Chicago snapped a two-game skid and handed Santa Clara a rare home loss, 80-78, in a nonconference men’s basketball game Saturday at West Field House. The Ramblers, who entered as heavy underdogs, executed a precise offensive game plan to overcome the Broncos’ advantages in rebounding and fast-break play. Loyola Chicago scored its 80 points on just 65 possessions, translating to an elite offensive rating of 123.2. Santa Clara, by contrast, managed 78 points on 71 possessions for a rating of 110.6. The difference was stark at the free-throw line and from beyond the arc. Loyola Chicago converted 18 of 23 free throws, while Santa Clara went 14 for 18. The Ramblers also hit 10 of 27 three-point attempts, matching Santa Clara’s 10 makes but doing so on four fewer attempts from deep. The contest featured a compelling duel between the teams’ leading guards. Kayde Dotson, a junior from Beaumont, Texas, led all scorers with 26 points for Loyola Chicago, adding four rebounds. His counterpart, Santa Clara’s Christian Hammond of Denver, kept pace with 25 points, four rebounds and two assists. Elijah Mahi of Toronto contributed 21 points for the Broncos. Loyola Chicago built its largest lead at nine points early in the second half, but Santa Clara’s relentless pressure and 14 offensive rebounds fueled multiple rallies. The Broncos used a 16-2 advantage in fast-break points to stay within striking distance. The most critical sequence came in the final 15 seconds. With Loyola Chicago clinging to a 76-73 lead, Santa Clara’ Thierry Darlan was fouled on a three-point attempt. The sophomore from Bangui, Central African Republic, calmly sank all three free throws to tie the game. On the ensuing possession, Loyola Chicago worked the clock before drawing a foul on Allen Graves with 10 seconds remaining. Deywilk Tavarez, a reserve guard from Pennsauken, New Jersey, stepped to the line and made both free throws to put the Ramblers back ahead 78-76. Santa Clara called timeout and executed its final play, finding Hammond for a driving layup to tie the game at 78 with just over four seconds left. Loyola Chicago immediately advanced the ball and called its final timeout. Inbounding from the sideline, the Ramblers got the ball to Dotson, who drove hard into the lane. He was fouled by Graves, sending him to the line with 1.5 seconds on the clock. Dotson sank both free throws for the final margin. A desperation heave from Santa Clara was not close as time expired. Justin Moore of Philadelphia added 15 points for Loyola Chicago, while Xavier Amos of Chicago had nine points, six rebounds and two blocks. For Santa Clara, Graves of Ponchatoula, Louisiana, posted seven points and 10 rebounds. The victory improved Loyola Chicago to 4-9 on the season, providing a significant boost before Atlantic 10 Conference play begins next week. The loss dropped Santa Clara to 9-4 as it prepares for West Coast Conference action. The Broncos had been installed as 17.5-point favorites pregame, and statistical models gave them an 83% probability to win. Loyola Chicago travels to face Rhode Island on Dec. 31. Santa Clara visits Oregon State on Dec. 28.

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (Interstat) — A struggling Loyola Chicago team faces a steep challenge on the road Saturday against a surging Santa Clara squad in a nonconference men’s basketball matchup. The Ramblers (3-9) enter having lost four of their last five, including an 85-71 defeat at San Francisco on Wednesday. The Broncos (9-3), meanwhile, are riding the momentum of a 63-60 road win at North Texas that same night, showcasing their ability to grind out close victories. Saturday’s game at Kaiser Permanente Arena pits teams on opposite trajectories. Loyola Chicago has struggled for consistent offense, averaging just 68.2 points per game. Their fortunes often hinge on the play of guard Justin Moore, who is coming off a 15-point effort at San Francisco and has scored 21 points in two of his last four contests. Support from Kayde Dotson and Xavier Amos, who combined for 30 points in the last outing, will be crucial. Santa Clara counters with a more balanced and potent attack, averaging 79.8 points. Guard Elijah Mahi has been a model of consistency, scoring between 13 and 18 points in six consecutive games, including a 17-point, 4-assist performance in the win over North Texas. The Broncos’ resume includes notable victories over Minnesota and Xavier. Defensively, the Ramblers must find a way to slow a Santa Clara offense that has topped 80 points five times this season. Loyola Chicago has allowed 80 or more points in six of its nine losses. For Loyola Chicago, this game represents a final opportunity to build confidence before Atlantic 10 play begins next week. For Santa Clara, it’s a chance to solidify its strong nonconference record before West Coast Conference action resumes in January. Tipoff is set for Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025.