VCU Rams Rally to Defeat Loyola Chicago in A-10 Semifinal

WASHINGTON — The Virginia Commonwealth University Rams delivered a thrilling comeback victory against Loyola Chicago, winning 62-55 in the Atlantic 10 semifinal on Saturday.

With just five minutes remaining and trailing 51-50, VCU‘s coach Ryan Odom called for a timeout to rally his team. His message focused on trust and teamwork, which proved pivotal as the Rams concluded the game on a decisive 12-4 run, sealing their place in the championship game.

Zeb Jackson, the Rams’ graduate guard and captain, ignited the momentum shift with a powerful two-handed slam on VCU’s first possession following the timeout, establishing a lead the team would not relinquish. “We ended the game strong. That’s not easy to do. They’re a really good team,” Jackson said.

Max Shulga led VCU (27-6) with a double-double performance, contributing 14 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and two steals. This marked the third double-double of the season for Shulga, who emphasized his adaptability throughout the tournament.”It’s just whatever the given game presents, I’m trying to impact the game everywhere in any way I can,” he remarked.

Other key contributors included Phillip Russell with 10 points and impactful defense that stifled Loyola’s star guards. The team’s ability to defend well was evident as Loyola’s leading scorers, Des Watson and Jayden Dawson, combined for just 15 points on a dismal 4-of-31 shooting.

Despite challenging moments, including a second-half lead change that put VCU on edge, their resilience once again shone through. Odom noted, “Sometimes you have to get your guys back… We were a little bit out of sorts. But that was a key moment in this particular game for us.”

Loyola Chicago, which finished the season at 23-11, fought diligently to stay in the game, registering 22 offensive rebounds that led to 17 second-chance points. Miles Rubin and Sheldon Edwards were standout performers for the Ramblers, each scoring 12 points.

VCU’s performance marked their ninth appearance in the Atlantic 10 championship game since joining the conference in the 2012-13 season. The Rams are undefeated in semifinals but have faced challenges in championship matches, holding a record of 2-6.

As VCU prepares for the championship game against George Mason, Odom and his team will aim for their first NCAA tournament berth since 2023. “We have a chance to be pretty good just because of the talent we were able to put together,” Skinn said, referring to the upcoming matchup.

The contest against George Mason is set for Sunday at 1 p.m. in Capital One Arena, attracting a crowd of devoted fans eager to see whether the Rams can secure their place in March Madness.