Loyola Beats Nevada: Ramblers Soar Into Elite Eight

ATLANTA, GA — Loyola added to its string of nail-biting, late-game victories Thursday night with its 69-68 win over No. 7 Nevada. The No. 11 Ramblers continue their unlikely, bracket-breaking run through the men's NCAA tournament and will now play in the Elite Eight for the first time since 1963. That puts them one win away from the Final Four.

The Wolf Pack was up as many as 12 points in the first half, but Loyola was able to claw back to take the lead going into halftime. Coming out for the second half, the Ramblers were perfect with their first 12 shots, but Nevada was able to pick away at the lead to tie the game up with a little more then 3 minutes left.

But Marques Townes, who scored 18 points in the game, was able to put Loyola up by four with a 3-pointer with 6.3 seconds left. Nevada responded with its own 3-pointer to cut the lead to a single point, and the Wolf Pack fouled Loyola on the inbound pass with only 1.4 left on the clock. But Nevada was never able to get the ball back.

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Following the game, Sister Jean Dolores-Schmidt got her on-court hugs from the players.

"I already told them as they came off the court, 'Great game.' And one of them said to me, … 'We broke your bracket, Sister Jean.' I said, 'I don't care that you broke my bracket. I'm ready for the next one'," the team's chaplin, unofficial scout and most famous fan told CBS Sports. Sister Jean had picked the Ramblers to go to the Sweet 16, but she didn't have them advancing.

Sister Jean wasn't the only one getting hugs. CBS Sports sideline reporter Lisa Byington also received an embrace from enthusiastic Loyola guard Clayton Custer before doing a live interview after the game.

Admiration and astonishment for underdog Loyola's remarkable run came from fans and bandwagon-jumpers online. And of course, there were the obligatory shout outs and memes for Sister Jean.

Loyola will play No. 9 Kansas State on Saturday.

Loyola vs. Kansas State

When: 5 p.m. Saturday, March 24

Where: Philips Arena, Atlanta

TV: TBS

Loyola's Marques Townes celebrates after a first-half basket Thursday, March 22, in the No. 11 Ramblers' men's NCAA tournament game against the No. 7 Nevada Wolf Pack. (Photo by Ronald Martinez | Getty Images Sport | Getty Images)