Box Score Wolf Pack were fueled by a career-high 11 assists by Jalen Gray in Tuesday night's victory
Coming off a 77-83 defeat at SUNO last week, the Loyola University New Orleans men's basketball team headed to the Convocation Center on Tuesday evening to square off against crosstown rival (RV) Xavier University.
Fueled by a career-high 11 assists by Jalen Gray (SR/New Orleans, La.), Loyola earned its first win against a ranked opponent this season to improve to 3-2 on the year.
The Wolf Pack opened the first quarter going to Nick Parker (JR/Port Allen, La.), who knocked down a long three pointer to break the scoring seal. Loyola followed that play with a layup on the fast break by Nate Pierre (SR/Folsom, La.) to give the visitors a 5-0 lead to force a Xavier timeout.
The team would continue to pour on the points, as Parker drained another shot from distance to give the team an 8-3 lead. The Gold Rush responded with a 10-2 run to take the lead at 12-10 with 13 minutes remaining in the half.
Both teams would battle back and forth over the next 13 minutes of play. Johnny Griffin Jr. (SR/Chicago, IL.) had the ball in his hands in the final seconds of the first half. Griffin Jr. weaved his way in and out of defenders and sank a three pointer just as time expired. Loyola headed into the locker room with the slim 39-38 advantage over the Gold Rush.
The Wolf Pack shot a scorching 59 percent (16-27) from the floor, along with 60 percent (6-10) from beyond the arc in the opening half. The Gold Rush also managed to shoot 54 percent (14-26) from the field and 67 percent (6-9) from beyond the arc in the first half.
Xavier's Mike Williams caught fire to start the second half. The freshman guard scored the team's next eight points, but the Wolf Pack kept the Gold Rush within one at 47-46. Xavier would take the lead from Loyola off of a bucket by Jalen David, giving his squad a 48-47 lead.
The Wolf Pack responded with back-to-back three pointers by Eric Brown (SO/Homer, La.) to put Loyola back on top by four (53-49).
With the game knotted at 71, Brown would strike again for the Wolf Pack. Knocking down a corner three to give the Wolf Pack a 74-71 advantage with under four minutes to play.
Pierre would seal the deal for his team, hitting a layup off of a backdoor pass from Griffin Jr. to give Loyola a 78-76 lead.
The Gold Rush looked to respond, but a missed shot by Leland Alexander as time expired would result in a 78-76 victory for Loyola.
The Wolf Pack could do no wrong on the offensive end, as the team shot 65 percent from the floor (32-of-49) and 67 percent (12-of-18) from beyond the arc.
Brown led the Wolf Pack with 20 points, including 6-of-7 shooting from the three-point line. Gray dished out a career-high 11 assists to go along with 10 points, and Pierre added 17 points in the road win.
Xavier's Mike Williams led all scorers with 25 points on 9-of-11 shooting from the field.
The Wolf Pack will head to Mobile, Ala. on Nov. 17 to visit Spring Hill College. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m.
