Loyola Chicago Takes Down San Francisco In SLC Pop-Up Game
Jan 6, 2022, 2:49 PM
Loyola Chicago forward Ryan Shwieger comes up for a shot against San Francisco Dons on January 6, 2022 in Salt Lake City. (Mitch Harper, sports.ksl.com)
(Mitch Harper, sports.ksl.com)
SALT LAKE CITY – For the first time since 2015, college basketball had a non-conference game played on a neutral court in the month of January. San Francisco and Loyola Chicago squared off in a game that came together earlier this week over a 45-minute Zoom call.
Loyola Chicago comes away victorious in the SLC pop-up game. Taking down San Francisco 79-74.
Great game, @RamblersMBB & @USFDonsMBB. 👏 pic.twitter.com/wZcLHx9OSE
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 6, 2022
The stage was Salt Lake Community College’s Bruin Arena.
It was a game that had significant NCAA Tournament implications, and it lived up to the hype.
Loyola Chicago came out on top with a 79-74 victory over San Francisco. According to ESPN’s Joe Lunardi, the win lifts Loyola Chicago to a six-seed in the projected 2022 NCAA Tournament. San Francisco stays put as a nine-seed.
Here’s a recap from the game.
Back-and-forth in first half
After initially trailing as much as seven points, San Francisco took a halftime lead of 39-38 over Loyola Chicago. However, the Dons closed the half, shooting 53.3% from the field.
Coming into the game, both teams were known to let it fly from three, but neither found their stroke from beyond the arc in the first 20 minutes.
Halftime: @USFDonsMBB 39, @RamblersMBB 38.
USF-Loyola Chicago living up to the hype through one half. 👏 pic.twitter.com/UBBzwzmfJy
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 6, 2022
USF’s explosive backcourt in Khalil Shabazz and Jamaree Bouyea combined for 20 points in the first half. At the same time, Ryan Schwieger came off the bench to lead the Ramblers in scoring 10 points.
Loyola Chicago’s Schwieger Couldn’t Be Stopped
Schewieger continued his high level of play into the second half scoring an additional 14 points. After getting an and-one opportunity, Schweiger exclaimed under the basket, “They can’t stop me.” USF didn’t have an answer for him.
The Dons were down 77-68 under three minutes to go, then Gabe Stefanini hit a three to cut the deficit to six. Then Zane Meeks hit another three to make it a one-possession game.
San Francisco has cut the Loyola Chicago lead down to three.
77-74 with 1:10 remaining. pic.twitter.com/acrXG3c9LA
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 6, 2022
USF couldn’t get it any closer as Loyola’s Jacob Hutson had a breakaway dunk to secure the 79-74 victory.
Notable stats
According to USF head coach Todd Golden, the big difference was free-throw shooting. It was an even contest throughout the ball game, but there was a discrepancy at the charity stripe. Loyola Chicago put up 21 free throw attempts to USF’s eight. The Ramblers knocked down 16 of their attempts while the Dons only made four.
Next Up
Both teams turn their attention to their respective conference schedules. For USF, the Dons will open up West Coast Conference play on Saturday against San Diego on the Hilltop. For Loyola Chicago, the Ramblers improve to 10-2 on the season and will open up Missouri Valley play Saturday against Bradley.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
