Jayden Dawson leads Loyola Chicago to narrow victory over San Francisco

In a thrilling matchup on a Sunday night, Jayden Dawson delivered an outstanding performance, scoring a remarkable 35 points, leading his team, Loyola Chicago, to a narrow 77-76 victory over the top-seeded San Francisco Dons in the second round of the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). This high-stakes game was held as part of the NCAA postseason in the United States, showcasing the unseeded Ramblers' determination to upset their opponents. Loyola Chicago, with a record of 24 wins and 11 losses, demonstrated their competitive spirit against the Dons, who had a stronger record of 25 wins and 10 losses but fell short in this intense matchup. Dawson's shooting was particularly impressive, as he made 14 of his 27 attempts from the field, including a notable 4 out of 11 from beyond the three-point line, and finishing with a perfect 3 of 3 from the free-throw line. This performance not only marked a career high for Dawson but played a crucial role in securing the win for the Ramblers. His ability to score consistently throughout the game was highlighted by a pivotal go-ahead layup he made with just 56 seconds remaining, which ultimately proved to be the deciding factor in the match. In addition to Dawson's standout performance, Des Watson contributed significantly to the team's success by adding 13 points and grabbing six rebounds. The Ramblers also faced strong challenges from their opponents, with San Francisco's Malik Thomas leading all scorers with an impressive 36 points, along with seven rebounds and five assists. Carlton Linguard supported Thomas by contributing 14 points and eight rebounds. Thomas had earlier put the Dons in the lead with a three-pointer at 1:17 remaining, raising the stakes and intensity of the game further. This victory allowed Loyola Chicago to knock out San Francisco, the top seed in their region, and advance in the tournament, now set to face either the second-seeded Stanford or unseeded Kent State in the next round. This outcome not only highlights the unpredictable nature of tournament play but also underscores the emerging talent of Jayden Dawson, who has proven himself as a crucial player for the Ramblers during a critical moment in their postseason journey.