NEW ORLEANS, LA.- The Loyola University New Orleans Wolf Pack returned to The Den for a special "Throwback Thursday" contest against Blue Mountain College. The Southern States Athletic (SSAC) matchup was a defensive battle, but Fr. G Tre'von Jasmine (Edgard, La./East St. John High) scored a game-high 19 points to lead the Wolf Pack to victory, 54-46.
It was a one point game after seven minutes of action before Loyola distanced themselves on the scoreboard. Jr. F Johnny Griffin (Chicago, Ill./Bloom Trail High) gathered an offensive rebound and drew a foul, making one free throw, to put the Wolf Pack ahead 9-7. During the next six minutes, Blue Mountain was held without a made field goal and Fr. GEric Brown (Homer, La./Arcadia High School) hit two shots from beyond the arc en route to a 12-2 run.
The run put Loyola ahead 20-9 with 5:44 remaining before Blue Mountain was able to score another basket. The Toppers went on a quick 9-0 run to cut the lead to 20-18. The two teams traded baskets until Loyola finished out the half leading 24-20.
The second half, much like the first, was close on the scoreboard featuring great defense. The Wolf Pack, who had led since the second minute of the game, squandered their lead after Vladimir Filipovich was fouled as he scored a layup for Blue Mountain with 11:19 remaining in the SSAC matchup.
However, Jasmine responded by hitting two three pointers in three trips down the floor and regained the Wolf Pack advantage. Loyola played lockdown defense over the last eight minutes and held Blue Mountain to only two baskets. The Wolf Pack knocked down 6-of-8 free throws down the stretch to ice the 54-46 victory.
Loyola shot 16-of-40 (40%) from the field and 5-of-16 (31%) from distance. More importantly, they held the Toppers to 16-of-53 (30%) shooting from the field and 3-of-12 (25%) from beyond the arc. The Wolf Pack also forced 15 turnovers, had four blocks, and outrebounded the opposition 28-25.
Jasmine was lethal from three-point range going 3-of-6 (50%) en route to a game-high 19 points. Brown, who has been a heavy contributor as of late, knocked down the other two treys and pitched in ten points. So. CNate Pierre (Folsom, La./ Covington) was a force in the paint, adding nine points, seven boards, and two blocks, including a crowd pleasing rejection on a fast break.
Blue Mountain was led by Filipovic who had eighteen points. However, no one else was able to break into double digits for the Toppers.
Loyola hits the hardwood again on Saturday against William Carey University in The Den at 4:00 pm. At halftime there will be a special ceremony honoring the 2016 inductees into the Wolf Pack Athletics Hall of Fame.
