PULASKI, TENN.- The Loyola University New Orleans Men's Basketball team took on Martin Methodist College in a Southern States Athletic Conference matchup. Loyola's took an early lead and never relinquished it en route to a 72-68 road victory over the Redhawks.
In the first minute, trailing 2-0, Fr. G Tre'von Jasmine (Edgard, La./East St. John's High) hit a three-pointer to give Loyola their first lead of the game. Loyola continued to extend the lead, and, with 11:45 remaining, Jr. G Jalen Gray (New Orleans, La./Brother Martin) stole a pass and took it end-to-end for a layup and was fouled on the way up. Gray sank the free throw to give Loyola a 21-12 advantage.
With 6:17 remaining, So. C Robert White (Los Angeles, Calif./Cathedral) stole a pass which led to a basket from beyond the arc from So. G Sam Kohnke (New Orleans, La./Isidore Newman School). The trey led to the biggest lead of the half for Loyola at 33-22. The Wolf Pack headed into the locker room leading by eleven, 42-31.
Loyola did not let up in the second half. They came out of the locker room with the same physicality and aggression that they started the game with. With 15:38 remaining So. G Nick Parker (Port Allen, La./Port Allen) knocked down a three-pointer to give the Wolf Pack their largest lead of the game at 51-39.
Loyola held a lead of more than six for the majority of the half. However, the Redhawks hit a three with 1:34 remaining to make it a one possession game, 67-64. That would be as close as the Redhawks would get as Loyola secured the victory, 72-68.
Loyola shot 17-of-54 (47.4%) from the field and 8-of-20 (40%) from beyond the arc. They attacked the boards en route to a 42-33 advantage, including eleven offensive rebounds.
Gray once again flooded the stat sheet with a game-high 17 points, seven rebounds, and four assists. Jasmine also played a huge role with 16 points and seven rebounds. Jr. F Johnny Griffin (Chicago, Ill./Bloom Trail High) added 11 points and seven rebounds for the Wolf Pack.
Martin Methodist was led by Broderick Davis with 15 points. The Redhawks shot 23-of-55 (41.8%) from the field, but were limited to 5-of-17 (29.4%) from beyond the arc.
The Wolf Pack continue their road trip in McKenzie, Tennessee against SSAC rival Bethel University on Saturday, January 30.
