CHICAGO (Interstat) — Parker Friedrichsen scored 27 points, including 20 in a dominant second-half stretch, and Davidson used a decisive 22-2 run to pull away from Loyola Chicago for a 79-64 victory in Atlantic 10 Conference men’s basketball on Wednesday night at Joseph Gentile Center.

The Wildcats, who led 45-36 at halftime, saw their advantage trimmed to five early in the second period before Friedrichsen ignited the game-breaking surge. The sophomore guard from Bixby, Oklahoma, hit three consecutive 3-pointers and a driving layup in a personal 11-point outburst that turned a 43-38 lead into a 60-40 command with 14 minutes remaining. Loyola Chicago never recovered, getting no closer than 15 points the rest of the way.

Davidson (10-5, 2-1 A-10) showcased efficient offense, scoring 79 points on just 65 possessions for an offensive rating of 121.4. The Wildcats shot 46.6% from the field and a blistering 43.8% from 3-point range, making 14 of 32 attempts. Their defense was equally impactful, holding the Ramblers to 39% shooting and a 26.1% clip from beyond the arc.

Friedrichsen’s performance was the centerpiece, requiring only 25 minutes on the floor. He shot 9 of 15 from the field and 5 of 9 from deep. Roberts Blums added 15 points for Davidson, and Nick Coval chipped in 11 points and four assists.

Loyola Chicago (5-11, 1-2) was led by Kymany Houinsou’s 13 points and four assists. Nicolus Anderson also scored 13 points, and Alexander Richardson contributed 10 points off the bench. The Ramblers struggled with ball security, committing 12 turnovers against only eight assists, and were outscored by 21 points from the 3-point line.

The game’s most pivotal sequence began with Davidson clinging to a 43-38 lead with 17:34 to play. Over the next six minutes, the Wildcats unleashed their devastating run. It started with a Friedrichsen 3-pointer, followed by a steal and layup from the guard. After a Sean Logan block led to a transition opportunity, Friedrichsen hit another 3. Sam Brown then found Friedrichsen for a fourth triple during the span, and a Coval pull-up jumper capped the run, giving Davidson a 65-40 lead and effectively sealing the outcome.

Davidson controlled the game from the opening tip, starting with a Friedrichsen 3-pointer on the first possession. The Wildcats built an early 14-5 lead and maintained a cushion throughout the first half, thanks to 7-of-18 shooting from 3-point range before the break. Loyola Chicago stayed within striking distance by attacking the interior, scoring 20 first-half points in the paint, but could not consistently string together stops.

The Wildcats’ defensive effort was highlighted by seven steals and five blocks, with Logan recording two rejections. They also won the battle for second-chance points despite being outrebounded on the offensive glass 11-9, a testament to their stingy half-court defense that limited Loyola Chicago to an offensive rating of 91.5.

The victory marked Davidson’s second straight in conference play following a win at Saint Joseph’s on Saturday. Loyola Chicago, which lost a close game to Dayton its last time out, has now dropped four of its last five.

Davidson returns home to face Rhode Island on Saturday. Loyola Chicago travels to face George Washington on the same day. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in Davidson, North Carolina, on Feb. 6.

According to Interstat’s ELO system, Loyola Chicago had been projected with a 62.4% probability to win, but Davidson entered as a 1.5-point favorite. The total score of 143 surpassed the over/under line of 136.5. An announced crowd of 1,619 attended the game.