Loyola’s No. 1 fan Sister Jean has prayers answered as Ramblers upset Miami

Donte Ingram of the Loyola Ramblers is the latest March Madness hero but he  had some help from a higher power thanks to Loyola’s No. 1 fan, Sister Jean.

March Madness is off to a tremendous start, with the Loyola Ramblers of the Missouri Valley Conference stealing the show, knocking off the Miami Hurricanes from the “mighty” ACC in a 64-62 thriller in Dallas, Texas. A game with both teams dealing blow after blow, none was more significant than the dagger from MVC tournament MVP Donte Ingram in the final seconds.

After a missed free throw by Miami’s Lonnie Walker IV, Ben Richardson pulled down a rebound, and the Ramblers confidently pushed the ball down the court. Ingram, who fell to the floor going after that very rebound, regained his composure just in time to hit a March Madness (near) buzzer-beater — sending the Ramblers to a thrilling victory.

After the game, Ingram acted like his shot was no big thing.

“It was a great feeling, Ingram said. Anyone of us could of hit that shot.”

Cold-blooded (where’s Gus Johnson when you need him?). The primary reason for Donte Ingram’s confidence in himself and his team is no doubt generated by the support and prayers of their long-time team chaplain “Sister Jean.”

“Sister Jean she has meant so much to me. She is there before every game. She says prayers before every game… She’s just so special.”

Clayton Custer echoed the words of his teammate, praising their biggest fan.

“It warms your heart. She has a positive energy around her… It’s inspiring. I think her prayers definitely mean a little bit extra.”

Custer and his Loyola teammates might be onto something with Sister Jean. Throughout the entire game, the Ramblers received every bounce and essential call when it mattered most. Ingram’s prayer of a shot was answered with the sound of nothing but net — with Loyola winning their first NCAA tournament game since their Sweet 16 run in 1985.

Sister Jean is a walking legend on the campus of Loyola in Chicago. A plaque in University Hall includes her (unofficially) in the Loyola Hall of Fame. She even has her own bobblehead giveaway nights at Gentile Arena and has missed just two Rambler’s home games since 1994 — revealed in an interview with the New York Times. 

She’s a light of inspiration to the Loyola players and anyone she comes into contact with along her daily routine. She is 98-years young and just getting started. She believes her Ramblers aren’t finished dancing. By a long shot.

Before the final play, Walker’s final free throw rimmed out and found its way into the hands of point guard Ben Richardson — somehow. Ingram found himself in the right place and the right time, nailing a contested three-point “prayer.”

Was it due to luck, coaching of Porter Moser, skill, hustle, or even divine intervention — who knows, maybe a mix of all of the above? Nevertheless, Sister Jean is in favor with not only a Higher power, but in the hearts of Loyola Chicago fans, and now college basketball fans across the country.

Next: Poor officiating costs Drury Lady Panthers shot at title

Will the prayers of Sister Jean carry the Ramblers to the promised land of the NCAA Tournament?