Dons fall to Ramblers in Utah
Ryan Schwieger scored 24 points to lead Loyola (Chicago) past USF 79-74 at Salt Lake Community College on Thursday.
Jacob Hutson added 13 points and Aher Uguak scored 10 for the Ramblers (10-2), who played for the first time since Dec. 10 after six of their games were canceled or postponed because of coronavirus issues.
Yauhen Massalski scored 20 points and blocked four shots to lead the Dons (13-2). Khalil Shabazz added 15 points and Jamaree Bouyea had 13.
Loyola and USF agreed to play a neutralsite contest earlier in the week when both teams saw conference games scheduled for Thursday postponed because of coronavirus issues with their opponents.
The game offered a resume-building opportunity for both teams as they pursue NCAA Tournament bids. The Ramblers entered Thursday at No. 19 in the NCAA NET rankings. The Dons were ranked 32nd — one of four WCC teams in the top 40.
“It’s cool. Flying to Utah on one day of prep and playing at a community college,” Schwieger said. “That’s the kind of stuff that college basketball is about.”
The Ramblers did not trail after Tom Welch hit a go-ahead layup and then dished to Schwieger for a 3-pointer to put Loyola up 54-49. Loyola eventually increased its lead to 75-66 but USF cut its deficit to 77-74 on a 3pointer by Zane Meeks with 1:23 remaining. Bouyea had a crack at a tying 3-pointer in the final seconds but missed.
“This was the type of game I was hoping for when we committed to playing them,” Dons coach Todd Golden said. “I think both teams acquitted themselves really well. Obviously, I’m disappointed we lost. We let it get away from us a little bit and then we fought back to the point where we had two chances to tie it with under a minute to go.”
#5 UCLA 96, Long Beach State 78: Jules Bernard scored 22 points, Johnny Juzang added 18 and the host
Bruins (9-1) returned from a 25-day absence caused by COVID-19 to rout the 49ers (4-8). UCLA’s Jaime Jaquez Jr., the team’s second-leading scorer, sprained his right ankle with 1:56 remaining in the first half and watched the rest of the game from the bench.
Indiana 67, #13 Ohio State 51: Trayce Jackson-Davis had 27 points and 12 rebounds to help the host Hoosiers (11-3, 2-2 Big Ten) defeat the Buckeyes (9-3, 3-1). Malaki Branham had 13 points to lead Ohio State.
⏩ Santa Clara rescheduled three games that had been postponed because of coronavirus issues. The Broncos will play at Pacific on Saturday in one of those games, and will host San Diego on Jan. 24 and St. Mary’s on Feb. 8 in the others.