Loyola Chicago Defeats La Salle 71-61 at Home
Tuesday, February 3, 2026, 8:00 PM ET · Gentile Arena
Loyola Chicago Ramblers 71, La Salle Explorers 61, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won La Salle Explorers vs Loyola Chicago Ramblers?
Loyola Chicago Ramblers beat La Salle Explorers 71-61 at Gentile Arena on February 3, 2026.
Who was favored in La Salle Explorers vs Loyola Chicago Ramblers?
Loyola Chicago Ramblers were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -148 (about 60% implied). The favorite won.
In a noteworthy matchup, the Loyola Chicago Ramblers secured a 71-61 victory over the La Salle Explorers at Gentile Arena. This win marks a much-needed boost for Loyola Chicago, who had been struggling with a recent record of 1-9 in their last ten games and a nine-game losing streak prior to this contest. The Ramblers improved their overall record to 7-18, while La Salle fell to 7-16.
Loyola Chicago's performance was characterized by a strong defensive effort, which was essential given their recent struggles. Over the last ten games, the Ramblers averaged 65.2 points scored per game while allowing 79.6 points, highlighting their need for improvement on both ends of the court. In contrast, La Salle averaged 64.5 points scored and allowed 75.8 points during the same stretch, indicating that both teams were facing challenges in their defensive capabilities.
At home, Loyola Chicago had previously struggled, posting a 0-5 record in their last five home games. However, this victory at Gentile Arena provided a much-needed turnaround. La Salle, on the other hand, had a slightly better away record of 1-4 in their last five away games, but they were unable to capitalize on that advantage in this matchup.
The two teams had met once before in the 2025 season, where Loyola Chicago emerged victorious with a score of 79-68. This history may have played a role in the Ramblers' confidence heading into the game.
In terms of injuries, the block did not specify any key players missing from either team, which meant both squads were likely at full strength for this contest. This absence of injury concerns allowed both teams to field their best lineups.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had Loyola Chicago favored by 2.5 points, with a total set at 140.5 for the game. The moneyline odds were -148 for the home team and +124 for the away team, indicating a slight edge for the Ramblers in the eyes of the bookmakers.
The game conditions were typical for a February night in Chicago, with the indoor environment of Gentile Arena providing a controlled atmosphere for both teams to compete. As the game progressed, viewers were treated to a display of free-throw shooting in the second half, particularly from Joshua Ola-Joseph and Justin Moore, who combined to score crucial points from the line as the clock wound down.
Loyola Chicago's victory was solidified in the second half, where they maintained a lead that was bolstered by their ability to convert free throws in critical moments. The Ramblers were able to keep La Salle at bay, despite a late push from the Explorers, which included a driving layup from Jaden Johnson and a three-point jumper from Damon Strand.
Overall, this game served as a significant turning point for Loyola Chicago, who will look to build on this momentum in their upcoming fixtures, while La Salle will need to regroup following this defeat.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | LUC -2.5 | 140.5 o -105 / u -115 | La Salle Explorers +124 · Loyola Chicago Ramblers -148 |
Leaders
- PointsJoshua Ola-Joseph16Loyola Chicago Ramblers
- AssistsMiles Rubin5Loyola Chicago Ramblers
- ReboundsMiles Rubin11Loyola Chicago Ramblers
- PointsJaeden Marshall18La Salle Explorers
- AssistsJaden Johnson8La Salle Explorers
- ReboundsAshton Walker8La Salle Explorers
Recent form
Loyola Chicago Ramblers
Last 10: 1-9Streak L965.2 scored · 79.6 allowed per game0-5 at home
- L75-89at VCU RamsJan 31
- L64-85vs Saint Joseph's HawksJan 28
- L59-71vs Duquesne DukesJan 24
- L70-84at St. Bonaventure BonniesJan 21
- L51-78at Dayton FlyersJan 17
- L74-82vs George Mason PatriotsJan 14
- L66-101at George Washington RevolutionariesJan 10
- L64-79vs Davidson WildcatsJan 8
- L68-70vs Dayton FlyersJan 3
- W61-57at Rhode Island RamsDec 31
La Salle Explorers
Last 10: 3-7Streak L264.5 scored · 75.8 allowed per game1-4 away
- L58-67vs Saint Joseph's HawksJan 31
- L58-64at Fordham RamsJan 29
- W67-64vs Dayton FlyersJan 21
- W78-74vs St. Bonaventure BonniesJan 17
- L53-74at Richmond SpidersJan 15
- L72-84vs Saint Louis BillikensJan 10
- W79-72at Rhode Island RamsJan 8
- L55-77at George Washington RevolutionariesJan 3
- L75-80vs George Mason PatriotsDec 31
- L50-102at Michigan WolverinesDec 21
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Louis | 29-6 | - | 15-3 |
| VCU | 28-8 | - | 15-3 |
| Saint Joseph's | 24-12 | 2 | 13-5 |
| Dayton | 25-12 | 3 | 12-6 |
| George Mason | 23-10 | 4 | 11-7 |
| Davidson | 20-14 | 5 | 10-8 |
| Duquesne | 18-15 | 6 | 9-9 |
| George Washington | 19-16 | 7 | 8-10 |
| Fordham | 17-15 | 7 | 8-10 |
| Rhode Island | 16-16 | 8 | 7-11 |
| Richmond | 15-17 | 10 | 5-13 |
| La Salle | 9-23 | 10 | 5-13 |
| St. Bonaventure | 17-17 | 11 | 4-14 |
| Loyola Chicago | 9-24 | 11 | 4-14 |
Box score
| Stat | La Salle Explorers | Loyola Chicago Ramblers |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 21-52 | 23-52 |
| Field goal % | 40 | 44 |
| Three-pointers | 6-18 | 10-30 |
| Three-point % | 33 | 33 |
| Free throws | 13-19 | 15-25 |
| Free throw % | 68 | 60 |
| Rebounds | 29 | 36 |
| Offensive rebounds | 6 | 8 |
| Defensive rebounds | 23 | 28 |
| Assists | 13 | 15 |
| Steals | 5 | 4 |
| Blocks | 0 | 6 |
| Turnovers | 12 | 13 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 2 |
| Technical fouls | 1 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 1 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 11 | 14 |
| Fast-break points | 5 | 3 |
| Points in the paint | 22 | 24 |
| Fouls | 20 | 16 |
| Largest lead | 12 | 17 |
| Lead changes | 1 | 1 |
| Time in front | 44 | 48 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half33-36Joshua Ola-Joseph makes 24-foot three point jumper (Justin Moore assists)
- 2nd Half35-36Edwin Daniel makes 11-foot floating jump shot (Ashton Walker assists)
- 2nd Half35-39Justin Moore makes 26-foot three point step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half37-39Jaden Johnson makes driving layup
- 2nd Half37-41Joshua Ola-Joseph makes layup (Miles Rubin assists)
- 2nd Half38-41Rob Dockery makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half39-41Rob Dockery makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half39-44Daniil Glazkov makes 26-foot three point jumper (Deywilk Tavarez assists)
- 2nd Half39-47Kayde Dotson makes 24-foot three point step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half40-47Jaeden Marshall makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half41-47Jaeden Marshall makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half41-49Alexander Richardson makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half41-50Xavier Amos makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half42-50Rob Dockery makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half43-50Rob Dockery makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half44-50Rob Dockery makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half44-52Justin Moore makes driving layup
- 2nd Half44-55Xavier Amos makes 26-foot three point jumper (Kayde Dotson assists)
- 2nd Half45-55Jaden Johnson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half46-55Jaden Johnson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half48-55Jaden Johnson makes driving layup
- 2nd Half48-58Kayde Dotson makes 23-foot three point jumper (Nic Anderson assists)
- 2nd Half51-58Jaeden Marshall makes 24-foot three point jumper (Jaden Johnson assists)
- 2nd Half51-59Alexander Richardson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half51-60Alexander Richardson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half51-61Joshua Ola-Joseph makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half51-63Justin Moore makes layup
- 2nd Half52-63Jaden Johnson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half53-63Jaden Johnson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half53-64Justin Moore makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half54-64Ashton Walker makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half54-66Joshua Ola-Joseph makes driving layup (Justin Moore assists)
- 2nd Half54-67Joshua Ola-Joseph makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half54-68Justin Moore makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half54-69Justin Moore makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half54-70Joshua Ola-Joseph makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half54-71Joshua Ola-Joseph makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half56-71Jaden Johnson makes driving layup
- 2nd Half59-71Damon Strand makes 24-foot three point jumper (Ashton Walker assists)
- 2nd Half61-71Jaden Johnson makes 15-foot pullup jump shot (Damon Strand assists)
Win probability
Above the line favours Loyola Chicago Ramblers, below favours La Salle Explorers.
Venue
- Gentile ArenaChicago, IL
- Attendance1906
- OfficialsBert Smith, K.B. Burdett, Eric Curry
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