VCU beats Loyola Chicago in a highly physical Atlantic 10 match-up

Andrew McGhan, Contributing Writer

VCU men’s basketball defeats Loyola University Chicago in a 74-67 victory in the Siegel Center on Jan. 23.

With the win, VCU improves to 4-2 in conference play and their win streak jumps to four wins in a row, according to VCU Athletics. 

The game was very physical with both teams having players in foul trouble.

The Rams combated Loyola’s physicality by trying to play without taking too many dribbles when attacking on offense, according to VCU head coach Ryan Odom.

“Just try not to play off the bounce,” Odom said. “When you have it on the ground already and while they’re guarding you, it’s really hard to get away from them.”

The beginning of the first half was a physical battle where players from both teams missed shots, were blocked or simply turned the ball over. It was a defensive clinic where both team’s offenses didn’t look pretty.

At the 16-minute mark of the first half, VCU fourth-year Joe Bamisile, second-year Toibu “Tobi” Lawal and first-year Michelle Belle subbed into the game.

The game started with Loyola winning the tipoff, and the first basket was not made until the 18-minute mark when Loyola first-year Miles Rubin scored a driving layup, according to Statbroadcast.

After the substitution, VCU went on to 15-9 before the next media timeout was called with Joe Bamisile contributing six of the 15 points, making the score 19-13, according to Statbroadcast. 

Coming out of the media timeout, Loyola started to claw away at the VCU lead and by the six-minute mark, Loyola took the lead, according to Statbroadcast. 

Once Loyola took the lead they went on a 8-2 run.

Loyola took the ball out on the left sideline with 30 seconds remaining in the first half and VCU graduate student Kuany Kuany stole the ball.

Kuany then passed the ball up to Bamisile who caught it and scored a three-point buzzer-beater.

Bamisile said his teammate graduate student Sean Bairstow told him earlier in the game to look to shoot more threes.

“Sean was actually telling me a couple plays earlier that I need to seek the open three when they fully tuck in, and my moment came and shot it,” Bamisile said.

When Bamisile scored that buzzer beater the Siegel Center erupted with cheer.

The crowd really helped the team win back some momentum in the first half, according to Odom.

“Just another great atmosphere here at Siegel, really thankful for the crowd in their ability to give us a boost,” Odom said.

At halftime, the score was Loyola 36 and VCU 33, according to Statbroadcast.

The second half started as physical as the first half, with both teams playing hard on defense to the point where no one could make a shot.

At the six-minute mark, Bamisile stole the ball and scored a layup and a shooting foul was called on Loyola second-year Jayden Dawson, according to Statbroadcast. VCU went on a six-to-one run with momentum going VCU’s way.

In the closing three minutes, VCU had the ball as the shot clock winded down. Kuany received a pass, scored a three-pointer and fouled. Kuany completed the four-point play, which ended up being the game-sealing play. The final score was VCU 74 and Loyola 67.

Bamisile and Kuany were the two leading scorers for the Rams, according to Statbroadcast. Bamisile had 25 points off of a 52% field goal percentage, and Kuany had 16 points off of a 71% field goal percentage.

Kuany scored 16 points, a season-high, and only missed two shots, according to Statbroadcast. 

Kuany said the practices and preparation leading up to the game helped him be able to make plays for his team.

“I think it goes with practice. We all prepare for these moments and then taking the right shots,” Kuany said. “We’re turning down good shots for great shots, and those great shots happened to be in my hand a couple of times today.” 

The VCU Rams will face the University of Richmond at home for the Capital City Classic on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 4 p.m.