The Wolf Pack (5-4, 1-1) were dominant for most of the second half, but it wasn't enough to upset No. 8 Louisiana State University at Alexandria (11-2, 3-1) at home on Friday night. Led by Jr. F Johnny Griffin (Chicago, Illinois/Bloom Trail High), Loyola was efficient shooting the ball, but were unable to get the victory and fell 77-74.
The Wolf Pack fell in an 8-0 hole to start the game, but were able to recover. Fr. G Tre'Von Jasmine (Edgard, La./East St. John High) was fouled driving to the basket and knocked down both of his free throws. Griffin followed with his first points of the night to cut the deficit to 8-4 with under 15 minutes remaining.
LSUA, however, stayed in control for most of the first half. The largest deficit in the first half for the Wolf Pack was 12, but they were able to close the gap to nine points going into the locker room. They trailed No. 8 Generals 41-32 after the first 20 minutes of action.
Coach Stacey Hollowell put a spark into his team in the locker room and they came out of the locker room firing. Loyola scored the half's first 11 points, led by Jasmine and Jr. G Jalen Gray (New Orleans, La./Brother Martin), to take their first lead of the game with 15:45 remaining in the contest.
Loyola stretched their lead to a game-high thirteen points with under ten minutes to play. As LSUA was attempting to make a comeback, Griffin was trying to ignite his team to hold strong. With 8:55 remaining and the score at 60-50 in favor of Loyola, Griffin sank two from the charity line. He would then answer the next two baskets by LSUA with baskets of his own, including a momentum-swinging dunk, to keep the Wolf Pack ahead 66-54 with 7:25 remaining.
Despite Griffin's effort and electric play, the Generals were not going away easily. Griffin made a free throw to make the lead 70-59 with 5:21 left to play. LSUA then went on a 13-2 run to tie the game at 72 a piece with a minute to play. With the game tied and the ball in Loyola's hands, the Wolf Pack faithful were confident and loud. However, So. C Robert White (Los Angeles, Calif./Cathedral) mishandled the ball in the backcourt and turned it over, leading to a fast break for the Generals. After sinking two free throws, LSUA took their first lead since the Wolf Pack took over early in the second half, 74-72.
Jasmine was able to get to the line, but was only able to sink one of two free throws. Trailing by one, the Wolf Pack fouled and LSUA gained two more at the charity stripe. The ensuing possession ended with a missed layup by Gray and that would be the last threatening attempt. LSUA did their job at the free throw line and came back to beat the Wolf Pack 77-74.
Loyola shot tremendously from the field, going 25-of-55 (45.5%), but only managed to hit 3-of-13 (23%) from beyond the arc. Led by White's two, Loyola blocked six shots and forced 12 turnovers.
Griffin Jr. led the Wolf Pack with a career-high 24 points and added 14 rebounds for the double-double. Gray pitched in with 14 points, nine rebounds, and five assists, while Jasmine and So. C Nate Pierre (Folsom, La./Covington) added 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Loyola heads into the holiday break with a 5-4 record and won't play again until 2016. On January 2, the Wolf Pack will host conference opponent Dalton State College at 4:00 pm in The Den.
