The Leo Lions prevailed in a tough, gritty thriller against Loyola Academy on Friday, pulling out a 69-66 victory before an excited and appreciative Alumni Night crowd in the Lions Den.
The first of three games in seven nights against three of the top teams in the Catholic League Blue Division was a battle, but the Lions (17-9, 2-4) rallied from a 10-point halftime deficit to record the biggest victory of the three-year rebuild they have been on since winning the Catholic League championship in 2022.
Coach Jimalle Ridley invited several alums into the locker room after the game to congratulate his players.
The Lions started the game using a full court press, but it seemed to have little effect on Loyola as the Ramblers took an early 10-0 lead.
Utilizing its size advantage, Loyola (20-8, 3-3) was able to get the ball inside for close-in shots and offensive rebounds. The Ramblers seemed to be on every loose ball while stretching their lead to 13 points at the end of the first quarter.
Behind Brendan Loftus, a football recruit headed to Miami (Ohio) to play tight end, Loyola still led by 10 (40-30) at the half. Loftus finished with a 25-point, 13-rebound double-double.
The second half was a different story. The Lions turned up the defensive pressure and matched the Ramblers’ physicality, limiting them to 26 points over the final two periods and cutting the deficit to four points late in the third quarter.
By the mid-point of the fourth, Leo had taken charge, tying the game on a three-point play by senior guard Dontae Bell, who finished with 11 points and 12 assists.
After forcing a Loyola turnover, the Lions took their first lead of the game on a three-pointer by junior guard Ethan Jackson, who hit three three-pointers while scoring 13 points. The three-point shot was a weapon throughout the game for the Lions — sophomore guard Asa Harris made five while scoring a team-high 20 points and making five steals.
Leo protected its lead with immaculate defense, forcing the Ramblers to use two timeouts without getting off a shot on their final possession.
Exciting and satisfying as the victory was, the Lions have little time to savor it — they’re at Mt. Carmel (22-5, 3-3 CCL Blue) Tuesday night before closing the regular. season against St. Ignatius (21-5, 3-3) next Friday.
But for a team that has struggled for two-plus seasons, this win was definitely one to savor.
David Gross ’22 is a college student who intends to pursue a career in sports journalism.
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