Loyola (5-5, 1-2) started the new year at The Den hosting No. 9 Dalton State College (11-2, 3-0). The Wolf Pack trailed early in the game, but came back in the second half and took the lead. Loyola once again played tremendous against a Top 25 opponent, but fell 70-67 to the reigning NAIA National Champions.
After trailing for most of the game, the Wolf Pack took the lead with 12:47 remaining on a three-pointer by So. G Nick Parker (Port Allen, La./Port Allen). Highlighted by a reverse two-handed dunk by Jr. F Johnny Griffin Jr.(Chicago, Ill./Bloom Trail High), the Wolf Pack went on a 17-5 run to start the second half and go up 49-46.
Loyola held onto the lead until the closing minutes of the second half. Fr. G Tre'von Jasmine (Edgard, La./East St. John) sank a shot from beyond the arc and stretched the lead to 65-62 with 3:33 remaining in the game. Dalton State responded by sinking two free throws, but on the ensuing Loyola possession Parker had the ball stolen. The Roadrunners took the ball down the court and hit a three pointer to take the lead 67-65 with 1:34 remaining.
Jr. G Jalen Gray (New Orleans, La./Brother Martin) missed the tying shot, but, following a timeout, Griffin stole the inbound and fed the ball ahead toSo. C Nate Pierre (Folsom, La./Covington) for the tying bucket with just under a minute to play. Dalton State hit a bucket to take the lead, 69-67, with 41 seconds remaining.
Parker took a corner three out of the timeout, but was off the mark. However, Griffin snagged the rebound, but he also missed the tying basket. A foul sent Dalton State to the, but they only made one free throw which kept it as a one possession game. Pierre had a good look with ten seconds remaining, but could not get his shot to fall.
However, the Wolf Pack were not out of the game. Dalton State missed both of their free throws and kept Loyola's hopes alive. With the game on the line, the ball was in Gray's hands. He brought the ball up the left side of the court and got a good look, but could not sink the buzzer beater and the Wolf Pack fell 70-67.
All of Loyola's starters scored in double figures led by Gray and Pierre with 15 points a piece. Jasmine provided 12 points and Griffin added his sixth double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 boards. Parker pitched in ten to round out the starting five.
The Wolf Pack shot well from field going 24-of-50 (48%) and eight-of-16 (50%) from beyond the arc. Loyola had great ball movement throughout the game and that was evident by their 16 assists, led by Gray with six. They were also aggressive in the paint, outrebounding the Roadrunners 32-27, while adding four blocks.
Loyola will return to action on Monday, January 4, at 7:30 PM against Middle Georgia State in The Den.
