CHICAGO (Interstat) — In a game defined more by grit than grace, the Loyola Chicago Ramblers snapped a four-game losing streak and secured just their second win in 16 games by holding off the Richmond Spiders 69-66 in a tense Atlantic 10 Conference men’s basketball matchup Saturday at Joseph Gentile Center.

The victory improved Loyola Chicago’s record to 7-22 overall, while Richmond fell to 15-14.

The most critical sequence of the contest unfolded in the final five seconds. With Loyola Chicago leading 68-66, Richmond’s Will Johnston was fouled on a 3-point attempt by Loyola’s Xavier Amos with just 0.05 seconds remaining. Johnston, a guard, calmly sank all three free throws to seemingly put the Spiders ahead 69-68.

However, on the ensuing inbounds play, Richmond’s Aiden Argabright fouled Loyola Chicago’s Deywilk Tavarez with 0.04 seconds left. Tavarez made the first free throw to tie the game at 69 and, after missing the second intentionally, the Ramblers secured the offensive rebound as time expired to preserve the narrow victory. The frantic finish capped a game where neither team led by more than nine points.

The outcome was forged by a stark contrast in styles. Richmond, despite forcing 14 Loyola Chicago turnovers and committing only four of their own, could not overcome an abysmal shooting performance. The Spiders shot just 29.8% from the field (17 of 57) and 25% from 3-point range (8 of 32). Their saving grace was a 24-for-33 performance from the free throw line and nine steals that fueled their defensive effort.

Loyola Chicago, conversely, operated with far greater efficiency on offense, shooting 50% from the field (22 of 44) and 31.3% from beyond the arc (5 of 16). The Ramblers also won the rebounding battle and managed to overcome their own turnover issues and a 20-for-30 showing at the foul line.

Richmond guard AJ Lopez, a junior from Queens, New York, led all scorers with 23 points, adding two assists and a block in 34 minutes. His backcourt play kept the Spiders within striking distance throughout. Center Mike Walz, a 6-foot-11 sophomore from Berwyn, Pennsylvania, provided interior presence with 14 points and two assists.

For Loyola Chicago, sophomore forward Miles Rubin of Chicago delivered a dominant performance, scoring 19 points on efficient shooting, grabbing key rebounds, and recording a block in 32 minutes. His interior scoring was a constant challenge for Richmond. The Ramblers also benefited from balanced contributions, with Alexander Richardson (5 points), Joshua Ola-Joseph (9 points), Kayde Dotson (7 points, 3 assists), Nicolus Anderson (8 points, 2 blocks), and Daniil Glazkov (7 points, 3 assists) all making timely plays.

The game’s tempo was disjointed from the start, with both teams struggling for offensive rhythm in the first half. Richmond’s defensive pressure created early turnovers, but the Spiders could not convert them into a significant lead due to their own shooting woes. Loyola Chicago built a 36-29 halftime advantage by closing the period on a 10-3 run, capped by a Mike Walz dunk just before the buzzer.

The second half followed a similar pattern. Each time Richmond threatened, often sparked by Lopez or a defensive play, Loyola Chicago answered with a bucket from Rubin or a timely 3-pointer from Glazkov or Anderson. The Ramblers maintained a slim but persistent lead for much of the final period, setting the stage for the dramatic and controversial final sequence.

According to the Interstat ELO system, Loyola Chicago entered with a slight 51.4% probability to win, though Richmond had been installed as a 5-point favorite by oddsmakers. The combined score of 135 fell well under the pregame over/under line of 146, reflecting the defensive struggle and poor shooting.

Richmond looks to regroup on Tuesday when it hosts Dayton. Loyola Chicago travels to face Saint Louis on Wednesday.