By Malcolm Price
2 21 2025
LOYOLA GAME NOTES
https://loyolaramblers.com/documents/2025/2/20/27_-_Dayton.pdf
CHICAGO – Loyola Chicago and Dayton meet Friday night at Gentile Arena for the second time this season. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. CT. The Ramblers look to build off a three-game win streak and even the regular season series, while the Flyers won back-to-back games.
Friday’s game can be watched on ESPN2 with Mike Corey (PXP) and Dalen Cuff (Analyst) and can be listened to Rambler Sports Network with Scott Sudikoff (PXP) and Christian Thomas (Analyst).
RAMBLINGS
• The Ramblers won their last three over Richmond, Saint Louis, and Davidson and have won five of their last six. Loyola has also won 20 of its last 21 home games.
• At Davidson, Loyola won, 77-69. The Ramblers were led by Jayden Dawson who dropped 24 points with five three-pointers. It’s the third straight performance for Dawson with at least 24 points and five threes made.
• Des Watson added 15 points, while Miles Rubin and Sheldon Edwards Jr. scored 14 and 11 points, respectively. Rubin went 7-10 from the field, while Edwards Jr. drained three three-pointers.
• Dawson was tabbed the A-10 Player of the Week earlier this week after averaging 25 points per game over two Rambler wins. He shot 53.3 percent from the field, 54.4 percent from three, and was perfect at the line.
• Dawson tied his career-high 26 points vs. Saint Louis, finishing 10-16 from the field with six threes. He added three blocks. Against Richmond, he led all-scorers with 24 points and six threes.
• After hitting three from deep at Davidson, Edwards Jr. moved up to third all-time on the single-season records list. He has 77 and counting. The current record stands at 85.
• In February, Loyola is 5-1 overall and won all three of its home games. Dawson, Watson, Edwards Jr. and Rubin are averaging at least 10 points per game during the month’s play. Dawson is averaging 17.7 points per game over the six games, while Edwards Jr. scored double-figures in each.
• In conference play only, Dawson and Watson fall in the league’s top-25 scorers. Dawson ranks 15th at 14.4 ppg, while Watson comes in at 17th with 14.0 ppg.
• Overall, Rubin is shooting 67.6 percent from the field, leading the A-10. He also leads the conference in blocks (58) and blocks per game (2.2). Nationally, he ranks 12 in blocks and 16th in blocks per game.
• Head coach Drew Valentine is in his fourth season at the helm. He has compiled a 74-48 overall record as head coach.
SCOUTING DAYTON
The Flyers sit at 18-18 overall and 8-5 in league play. They’ve won their last two games but face a 3-3 road record coming into Gentile Arena. Dayton is a threat from three-point range, leading the league in percentage (36.2). It ranks 71st in the country. The three-point success is helping Dayton to the third best offense in the A-10, averaging 75.1 points per game.
Five Flyers score at least 10 points per game, and they’re led by Nate Santos at 13.8 ppg. Fordham and Duquesne held him in single-digits snapping a five-game double-figure scoring streak. He had a 13-game streak earlier this season that was halted by the Ramblers back in January. Santos has five 20+ point outings, including a season-best 24 dropped vs. Saint Joseph’s and Lehigh.
Anthony Grant is in his eighth season at the helm of Dayton. With the Flyers he holds a 167-80 record.
SERIES HISTORY
The Flyers lead the all-time series, 26-16. Loyola fell in overtime back in January at Dayton, 83-81. Dawson and Edwards Jr. led the Ramblers with 19 points each.
COURTESY LOYOLA ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
