DAVIDSON AIMS TO EXTEND WINNING STREAK AGAINST LOYOLA CHICAGO IN A-10 TOURNAMENT

PITTSBURGH (Interstat) — The Davidson Wildcats look to continue their late-season surge when they face the Loyola Chicago Ramblers in an Atlantic 10 Conference men’s basketball tournament game Thursday at 84 Lumber Arena.

Davidson (19-12) enters as the hotter team, having won three of its last four, including a 68-63 victory at Saint Bonaventure in its regular-season finale on March 7. The Wildcats, who swept the regular-season series against Loyola Chicago by an average margin of 19.5 points, are led by guard Sam Brown. He scored 15 points with four rebounds and three assists in the win over the Bonnies and had a 20-point performance against Saint Joseph’s on March 4.

Loyola Chicago (9-23) snapped a three-game skid with a 75-67 road win at Richmond on Wednesday, March 11. The Ramblers’ season has been a struggle, but guard Kayde Dotson provides a spark. He is coming off a 17-point, five-assist effort in a win over George Washington on March 7 and scored 19 points in a loss at Saint Louis on March 4.

In the teams’ two meetings this season, Davidson dominated. The Wildcats won 84-64 at home on Feb. 6 and 79-64 in Chicago on Jan. 7. Davidson’s balanced attack and defense proved too much for the Ramblers in both contests.

For Davidson, consistency from Brown and contributions from players like Hunter Adam and Nick Coval, who combined for 21 points and 13 rebounds against Saint Bonaventure, will be key. The Wildcats aim to leverage their superior record and recent head-to-head dominance to advance in the conference tournament.

Loyola Chicago will rely on Dotson’s scoring and playmaking to try to spring an upset. The Ramblers must improve their defensive performance after allowing Davidson to average 81.5 points in the prior matchups.

The winner advances in the A-10 tournament bracket, with Davidson seeking to bolster its postseason resume and Loyola Chicago playing for an extended season.