Loyola falls to Ohio State in opening round of NCAA Tournament, 54-41
PITTSBURGH (CBS/AP) — March Madness is over for the Loyola Ramblers, who just couldn't beat back the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first round of The NCAA Tournament.
It was a frustrating day for Loyola and their fans, as the team brought their trademark intensity on the defensive end, but simply didn't make enough shots to keep up with Ohio State.
It was an especially bitter end for senior Lucas Williamson, who had one of his worst games in what ended up being his final game for the Ramblers.
Sister Jean gave her usual pregame prayer, but nothing anyone could do would help the ball go in the basket for the Ramblers. They scored a season-low 41 points, and shot just 27% from the field.
Williamson, the winningest player in program history finished with four points on 1-of-10 shooting and committed three turnovers as Loyola fell in the first round after reaching the Sweet 16 last season and the Final Four in 2018.
Ohio State did just enough on offense to hold the Ramblers at bay for most of the second half, en route to a 54-41 win. It's a tough end to an otherwise brilliant career for Williamson, one of the all-time great Ramblers.
"I'm disappointed; disappointed in myself. I don't feel like I played to the standard that I've put myself at. I'm just at a loss for words, kind of just stunned right now," Williamson said.
"It's tough. I feel so bad for him, because, you know, like, for that to be your last game, that should not define Lucas Williamson and who he is as a player, who he is as a person, what he means to this program," first-year coach Drew Valentine said. "Like I told him after the game, I'll ride with you to the end."
Williamson finishes his Ramblers career as the program's all-time leader in games played, and he ranks 2nd all time in Loyola history for career 3-pointers and steals, 3rd in career win shares, and 4th in career defensive rebounds.
Ohio State came in having lost four of its final five games, including a baffling setback to lowly Penn State in the Big Ten tournament last week. The return of forward Kyle Young — who hadn't played since March 8 due to a concussion — and E.J. Liddell's steadiness helped the Buckeyes avoid a second straight early exit.
Liddell scored 16 points, and Big Ten Freshman of the Year Malaki Branham added 14.
While Williamson and company frustrated Liddell — holding him without a field goal in the first half — Loyola could muster little offensive flow as the Buckeyes swallowed up the lane in a game that made up for in intensity what it lacked in aesthetics.
Every Loyola dive to the rim was contested and every loose ball — and there were plenty in an opening half in which both teams combined for as many turnovers as made baskets (15) — seemed to end with Ohio State heading the other way.
At one point, first-year Loyola coach Drew Valentine grew so animated his gum flew out of his mouth as he implored his team for more effort.
The Ramblers' effort wasn't the issue. Execution, however, was another matter as Loyola ended its stint in the Missouri Valley Conference — the Jesuit school located along Lake Michigan is heading to the Atlantic 10 next fall — with a thud.
Loyola junior Braden Norris said, despite the loss, they expected the usual positive postgame email from Sister Jean. He said she always thanks them and shows them lots of gratitude.
