By David Hayden | @SluggySports
Sports Capital Journalism Program
INDIANAPOLIS – Lucas Williamson understood what was happening. The senior guard from Loyola Chicago, part of the group that reached the Final Four three years ago, spoke up in a huddle during the first-round game against Georgia Tech. The Ramblers trailed by 10 points just 6:13 into the game. A second later, during a timeout, Williamson had something to say.
“First-game jitters,” Williamson remembered. “I told everyone to relax.”
His 21 points, six rebounds and four assists helped the No. 8-seeded Ramblers to a 71-60 victory over Georgia Tech and a highly-anticipated second-round meeting with Illinois on Sunday.
The Ramblers (25-4) have won 18 of their last 19 games and seven straight.
Normally, Williamson is known for his defense, but he had the offensive touch for this first round matchup. “I played in this tournament before,” he said. “Others didn’t have tournament experience.”
Braden Norris scored 16 points, 10 in the second half. Cameron Krutwig scored 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting. The Ramblers made 11 of 27 3-point shots, including 7-for-15 shooting in the second half.
Georgia Tech (17-9), the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament champions, were led by Jordan Usher’s 15 points.
Williamson and Krutwig have been a part of more victories than any four-year players in the history of the Rambler program. The 98 victories in their four years are the most in that period in Loyola history.
Loyola coach Porter Moser talked about the importance of maintaining poise when his team trails.
“We been behind before this year,” Moser said. “It is about settling down and stacking good possession. Georgia Tech made some tough twos. You know you have to live with it.”
Williamson’s leadership in huddles helped the Ramblers through the challenging stretches. Moser understands the importance of his confidence. “We feed from that,” Moser said. “Lucas as a freshman learned from that and now, he’s being the loud one in the huddle….It rubs off.”
After the early timeout, Loyola picked up the pace, attacked the Georgia Tech zone and climbed its way back into the game. The Ramblers took a 24-23 lead on Krutwig’s layup with 2:47 to go in the first half.
“We finally settled in,” Williamson said. “We tried to attack the middle of the zone. We were having trouble until we finally settled in.”
From there, Loyola led at the half 30-25 with Williamson scoring 10. Loyola in the second half continued to follow the senior’s lead along with playing excellent defense.
The Ramblers finished the game with a 30-17 rebounding advantage, including a 17-9 edge in the second half. The advantage was built upon a group effort. Williamson had six, while Krutwig and Aher Uguak each had five rebounds.
Loyola is no stranger to Hinkle Fieldhouse, having played there on 38 occasions against the Butler Bulldogs. The last time the Ramblers played at historic Hinkle Fieldhouse was February 14, 2012 against Butler.
This is the seventh NCAA Tournament appearance for the Ramblers, and the second in three tournaments. The 1963 national championship and Sweet 16 appearance in 1985 were distant memories until the Final Four run in 2018 returned the Ramblers to prominence.
The next challenge is earning another trip to a regional semifinal. “It’s March Madness,” Williamson said. “I am focused on what is in front of me. It just happens to be Illinois.”
