Dores Fall in the Desert

Loyola (Chicago) defeats Vanderbilt, 78-70

PHOENIX (AP) — The Loyola (Chicago) Ramblers used a 22-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist effort from Cameron Krutwig to come away with a 78-70 victory over Vanderbilt on Wednesday at Talking Stick Resort Arena.

Loyola Chicago has won five straight, its longest winning streak since taking 14 in a row during a surprising run to the 2018 Final Four.

Vanderbilt (6-4) was no match for Krutwig inside and hurt itself by going 13-for-22 on free throws.

Aaron Nesmith had 23 points and Saben Lee added 18 for the Commodores. Senior center Clevon Brown did not play due to injury.

The Commodores hit 10 of 23 shots in the first half, but trailed 35-31 at halftime. Nesmith had 11.

The Ramblers worked through Krutwig and the big man was effective in the first half by scoring 10 points while dishing out five assists.

Neither team could get separation through most of the second half and neither team was able to go up more than five until Hall hit a 3-pointer to put the Ramblers up 62-54 with five minutes left.

Vanderbilt returns to the floor at 7 p.m. Saturday when it takes on UNC Wilmington at Memorial Gym (SEC Network+).