Holy smokes! Cinderella story continues for Loyola-Chicago and 98-year-old Sister Jean as they upset Kansas State 78-62 to reach the Final Four (the day before Palm Sunday!)
- Loyola-Chicago defeated Kansas State in the Elite Eight on Saturday night
- Ramblers overpowered Kansas State's defense with strong shooting
- Team chaplain Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, 98, was on hand for the victory
- Loyola will next face the Michigan Wolverines in the Final Four on March 31
- Will be team's first appearance in the Final Four since 1963 championship win
Loyola-Chicago has continued its improbable postseason run, beating Kansas State 78-62 on Saturday night to advance to its first Final Four in 55 years.
Extending its winning streak to 14 games, the Loyola Ramblers displayed strong shooting against the Kansas State Wildcats, a team which relied on strong defense in the NCAA Tournament.
Loyola team chaplain Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, 98, a breakout star of March Madness this year, led the team in prayer before the game and was on hand for the win.
Led by Ben Richardson's 23 points, the Ramblers shot 57.4 percent from the field in the NCAA South regional final. Richardson made six of seven 3-pointers.
Loyola-Chicago players celebrate victory over Kansas State on Saturday night
Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt celebrates with the Loyola Ramblers after defeating the Kansas State Wildcats during the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament South Regional
Loyola-Chicago's Ben Richardson cuts the net after winning the in the Elite Eight
Richardson celebrates after cutting down the net as fans and teammates fill the court
A member of the Loyola Ramblers band holds a Sister Jean big head cutout prior to the championship game of the South regional of the 2018 NCAA Tournament
Loyola Ramblers fans cheer on their team against the Kansas State Wildcats on Saturday
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After the game, Loyola players hoisted the South region champion trophy overhead and poured onto the court.
As the band played 'Sweet Home Chicago', Ramblers guard Ben Richardson climbed a ladder to cut down the net from the basket as a team memento.
'To bring the joy to the city and make everybody happy in the city of Chicago is crazy,' said Loyola senior Donte Ingram, the Chicago Tribune reported.
'The buzz going around campus and town, it's totally different. It's on the rise and I expect it to go up even more.'
Loyola-Chicago chaplain Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt leads the team in prayer before the first half of Saturday's Elite Eight matchup versus Kansas State
It was the first matchup of No. 11 and No. 9 seeds in an Elite Eight game.
Loyola will play in its first Final Four since 1963, when the Ramblers won their only championship. Kansas State was denied its attempt to return to the Final Four for the first time since 1964.
As the No. 11 seed, Loyola ties the record for the lowest seed to play in the Final Four.
Louisiana State (1986), George Mason (2006) and VCU (2011) also were No. 11 seeds.
Next up, Loyola will face Michigan in the Final Four on March 31.
Loyola-Chicago guard Lucas Williamson (1) shoots against Kansas State forward Xavier Sneed (20) during the first half of Saturday's game
Loyola-Chicago guard Donte Ingram (0) shoots against Kansas State's Kamau Stokes (3) and Makol Mawien (14) during the second half of Saturday's game
Sister Jean poses with fans for a photo before the Elite Eight game on Saturday
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